Abstract: Microfluidic pixels are utilized to produce large format displays (billboards) that are both digitally controllable and are light weight. Each pixel includes a wall having a front (display) surface, and a microfluidic system including a reservoir disposed behind the wall, a colorant fluid, a transparent display chamber disposed in front of the wall, a conduit, and a fluid actuator. The reservoir includes a reservoir chamber including a deformable wall, and the fluid actuator includes a mechanism for selectively displacing the deformable wall such that a portion of the first colorant fluid is transferred between the first reservoir and the first display chamber through the first conduit, whereby the pixel's appearance changes between a background appearance determined by the color (e.g., white) of the front wall surface, and a “colored” appearance determined by the amount and color of the colorant fluid disposed in the display chamber.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A marking apparatus is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed for use in a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration. The cartridge may be replacably attached to the marking apparatus, and may contain one or more marking materials, propellant, etc.

Abstract: A method of marking is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Liquid marking material, such as ink, is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method of marking employs a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is single-pass, full-color printing.

Abstract: In a ballistic aerosol marking device or the like, marking material flows from a material reservoir to a delivery channel via a port. The walls of the channel and or the port may be provided with a non-wetting coating to allow for control of the position of a meniscus formed in or at the port. By controlling the meniscus location, attributes of the system, such as the quantity of marking material delivered to the channel, the size of the marking material droplets delivered to the channel, the amount of foreign material (e.g., carrier liquid) delivered to the channel with the marking material, the field strength of gating electrodes, etc. may be controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A marking apparatus is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. A liquid marking material, such as ink, is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: In a ballistic aerosol marking device or the like, marking material flows from a material reservoir to a delivery channel via a port. Flow of marking material is facilitated by the provision of electrostatic marking material moving structures in or near the walls of the marking material reservoir. Marking material may be set into a continuous motion past the port and controllably extracted from the reservoir into the channel.

Abstract: A ballistic aerosol marking device includes, marking material which flows from a material reservoir to a delivery channel via a port. Flow of marking material is facilitated by the creation of a fluidized bed or aerosol of marking material in the reservoir. Gas flow together with mechanical or electromechanical assistance can be used to assist in the generation of the fluidized bed or aerosol.