SBIR Phase I: Low-Cost, Flexible Electronic Paper

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目通过调查低成本，灵活的电子纸解决方案的可行性和性能，以满足对电子显示器的普遍和不断增长的需求，目标是高对比度，快速响应和低功耗。这项研究的智力价值是一种新的显示技术的进步，它将改变信息的查看和呈现方式，以及电子显示器的生产方式。一项关键的技术创新是开发一种纸状多孔基质，以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）开发低成本的、纳米液滴相容的多孔基质，以及（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矩阵，建立沉积方法，量化材料特性，测量油墨相互作用，并测试基本（单像素）操作。第二个目标的研究活动涉及将多孔基质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成果是对这一创新的定量理解，并确定了一些关键的制造工艺，从而导致第二阶段的进一步发展。该项目更广泛的影响/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相关的环境因素，能源效率，减少纸张消耗，并且扩展了用于可视通信的电子显示器的经济用途。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器市场对高性能，低成本，节能显示器解决方案的需求，目前价值超过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纳米级系统的综合知识，并具有超越电子显示器领域的协同作用的潜力，在生物分离过程和光伏器件等领域遇到的共性。这项研究的另一个重要方面是它对教育的影响，通过在一个国家的少数民族服务的大学之一的教师和研究生的参与，在联合研究奋进。这种伙伴关系促进了当代工业相关性与未来工程师和科学家的多样化受众的学术学习的整合。

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.