Color electronic paper

Article By:

Heikenfeld, Jason Novel Devices Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Last reviewed:2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.YB140375

Electronic displays, such as transmissive (backlit) liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), have achieved image quality and panel sizes that were unimaginable as little as one decade ago. However, LCDs are still unable to outperform conventional ink on paper in several ways: you can't read your color LCD in bright sunlight; you can't take a large-size display and neatly roll or fold it up for storage in your pocket; and if you leave the image on your display, your smartphone battery will die long before you get home to charge it. If these issues could be resolved with a new display technology, then you would have an experience comparable to that of reading from paper. Pursuit of such a display is happening right now in the development of color electronic paper, or ePaper. This article reviews the rapid progress in the pursuit of color ePaper, which is now closing in on the attributes required for mass consumer acceptance.

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