SBIR Phase I: Low-Cost, Flexible Electronic Paper

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目通过研究低成本、柔性电子纸解决方案的可行性和性能，以高对比度、快速响应和低功耗为目标，响应了对电子显示器无处不在且不断增长的需求。这项研究的智力价值在于一种新的显示技术的进步，这种技术将改变信息的观看和呈现方式，以及电子显示的生产方式。一个关键的技术创新是开发一种类似纸的多孔基质来控制带电纳米液滴在外加电场下的运动。两个具体的研究目标是：(1)开发一种低成本、纳米液滴兼容的多孔基质，(2)将多孔基质集成到柔性显示器中。第一个目标的研究活动包括制定基体，建立沉积方法，量化材料特性，测量油墨相互作用，以及测试基本（单像素）操作。第二个目标的研究活动包括将多孔矩阵和墨水集成到柔性显示器中，测试多像素操作，并确定最佳性能限制。第一阶段项目的预期结果是对这一创新的定量理解，并确定一些关键的制造工艺，从而促进第二阶段的进一步发展。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括创造一种颠覆性的新显示技术，减轻与薄膜晶体管（TFT）显示器的制造和处置有关的环境因素，提高能源效率，减少纸张消耗，扩大并经济地使用电子显示器进行视觉通信。该项目具有巨大的商业影响潜力，因为它满足了快速增长的全球显示市场对高性能、低成本、节能显示解决方案的需求，目前全球显示市场的价值超过1500亿美元。从基质和纳米液滴相互作用的研究中获得的增强的科学理解将有助于汇总纳米级系统的知识，并具有超越电子显示领域的协同作用的潜力，与生物分离过程和光伏设备等领域的共性。这项研究的另一个重要方面是它对教育的影响，通过一名教师和研究生在全国少数民族服务大学之一的共同研究努力。这种伙伴关系促进了当代工业相关性与学术学习的整合，为未来的工程师和科学家提供了多样化的受众。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project responds to the ubiquitous and growing demand for electronic displays by investigating the feasibility and performance of a low-cost, flexible electronic paper solution, targeting high contrast, fast response, and low power consumption. The intellectual merit of this investigation is the advancement of a new display technology that will change the way information is viewed and presented, and the manner in which electronic displays are produced. A key technological innovation is the development of a paper-like porous matrix to control the motion of charged nanodroplets under applied electric fields. The two specific research objectives are: (1) to develop a low-cost, nanodroplet-compatible porous matrix, and (2) to integrate the porous matrix into a flexible display. Research activities for the first objective involve formulating the matrix, establishing deposition method, quantifying material characteristics, measuring ink interactions, and testing basic (single-pixel) operation. Research activities for the second objective involve integrating the porous matrix and ink into a flexible display, testing multi-pixel operation, and determining optimal performance limits. Anticipated results of this Phase I project are a quantitative understanding of this innovation and identification of some key manufacturing processes leading into further development in Phase II.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project include the creation of a disruptive new display technology, mitigation of environmental factors associated with manufacture and disposal of thin-film transistor (TFT) displays, energy efficiency, reduced paper consumption, and expanded yet economical use of electronic displays for visual communication. This project has high potential for significant commercial impact because it addresses the need for a high-performance, low cost, energy efficient display solution within the rapidly growing global display market, which is currently valued in excess of $150B. The enhanced scientific understanding that will be gained from the study of matrix and nanodroplet interactions will contribute to aggregate knowledge of nanoscale systems, and has potential for synergies beyond the realm of electronic displays, with commonalities encountered in fields such as bioseparation processes and photovoltaic devices. Another important aspect of this research is its impact on education through the engagement of a faculty member and graduate students at one of the nation's minority serving universities in a joint research endeavor. This partnership fosters integration of contemporary industrial relevance with academic learning for a diverse audience of future engineers and scientists.