A bistable flexible electronic display has been developed based on photographic technology, processes, and materials. Using photographic film coating techniques, an aqueous cholesteric liquid crystal dispersion, a dielectric layer, and a dark layer were deposited onto patterned transparent conductors on a polymeric web. Second conductors were printed over the active display layers to complete display manufacture in a roll‐to‐roll process. Simple seven‐segment displays and matrix displays have been generated using these techniques. The displays can use contact electronics to eliminate drive cost from the displays. Several prototype applications were demonstrated. Displays produced with these processes were low‐cost, thin, flexible, passively driven, and retained an image without an applied electric field.
Roll-to-roll methods and equipment to manufacture a bistable flexible electronic display have been developed. Displays produced with these processes are low-cost, thin, flexible, passively driven, and retain an image without an applied electric field. Using continuous coating techniques and equipment, an aqueous cholesteric liquid-crystal dispersion and a dark layer are deposited onto laser-etched patterned transparent conductors on a polymeric web. Second conductors are printed with a UV-curable polymer thick film ink over the active display layers, followed by slitting and chopping to complete the manufacture of display media in a full roll-to-roll process. Simple seven-segment and matrix displays can be generated using these techniques. This paper will focus on the manufacturing considerations for producing matrix display media.
We present a new single‐substrate approach for cholesteric polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) displays that provides a uniform monolayer of liquid crystal domains over large areas. The monolayer structure, in combination with the most recent commercially available liquid crystal mixtures, enables the creation of flexible display devices with very low driving voltage.
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