Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states. Various compound particles comprising multiple nanoparticles, alone or in combination with larger objects, and processes for the preparation of such compound particles, are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a thin-film transistor having a layer of semiconducting organic material provided on an insulating substrate and integrated with at least two electrical contacts for applying an electric voltage to the semiconducting organic material, wherein the semiconducting organic material is a semiconducting organic random copolymer with a highly ordered chain structure, a large effective conjugation length and a high regioregularity, and wherein the copolymer is synthesized from different fractions of at least two organic monomer compounds, with the smallest of the at least two monomer compounds being present in the lowest fraction.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states. Various compound particles comprising multiple nanoparticles, alone or in combination with larger objects, and processes for the preparation of such compound particles, are also described.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states. Various compound particles comprising multiple nanoparticles, alone or in combination with larger objects, and processes for the preparation of such compound particles, are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing thin film transistor structures useful in controlling electronic displays. Thin film transistors are fabricated using all-additive methods including printing techniques, soft lithography and material deposition methods. The thin film transistors can be deposited with the gate on the bottom or on the top of the structure. The deposition methods include the possibility of isolating nearly completely the transistor structure from the electronic display devices, so as to minimize or eliminate deleterious interactions therebetween.

Abstract: A process for forming a pattern in a semiconductor film is provided. The process comprises the steps of: providing a substrate; providing an organic semiconductor film adjacent the substrate; and providing a destructive agent adjacent selected portions of the organic semiconductor film, the destructive agent changing a property of selected portions of the organic semiconductor film substantially through the full thickness of the organic semiconductor film such that the property of the selected portions of the organic semiconductor film differs from the property of remaining portions of the organic semiconductor film.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states. Various compound particles comprising multiple nanoparticles, alone or in combination with larger objects, and processes for the preparation of such compound particles, are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing thin film transistor structures useful in controlling electronic displays. Thin film transistors are fabricated using all-additive methods including printing techniques, soft lithography and material deposition methods. The thin film transistors can be deposited with the gate on the bottom or on the top of the structure. The deposition methods include the possibility of isolating nearly completely the transistor structure from the electronic display devices, so as to minimize or eliminate deleterious interactions therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing thin film transistor structures useful in controlling electronic displays. Thin film transistors are fabricated using all-additive methods including printing techniques, soft lithography and material deposition methods. The thin film transistors can be deposited with the gate on the bottom or on the top of the structure. The deposition methods include the possibility of isolating nearly completely the transistor structure from the electronic display devices, so as to minimize or eliminate deleterious interactions therebetween.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a thin film of polymer, particularly a semiconducting thin film of polymer with an improved structural order, wherein the thin film is formed by deposition of a polymer material onto a solid substrate material from a polymer solution formed by means of a solvent, the polymer solution is provided in a closed container such that a free volume is left in the container above the polymer solution and the substrate material immersed in the solution, whereupon the substrate material with a thin film deposited thereon is withdrawn from the polymer solution with a withdrawal speed being selected dependent on the concentration of the polymer solution, until the substrate material is located in the free volume a certain distance above the polymer solution. The substrate material is kept in vertical position in the free volume while the solvent evaporates, whereupon the substrate material with the thin film is removed from the container for further drying in a vacuum oven.

Abstract: A process for forming a relatively high quality, lower cost organic semiconductor film is provided. A substrate is formed by depositing an organic semiconductor film via a lower cost method such as printing or spin coating on a support substrate. A portion of a solvent is vaporized to bring the vapor into contact with the film. The chemical potential of the vapor molecules is controlled to provide an interaction with the organic semiconductor film to alter the molecular arrangement of the film. The process further entails placing the substrate on a first temperature controlled stage and placing the solvent on a second temperature controlled stage. The chemical potential of the vapor is adjusted by controlling the temperature of the solvent. Appropriate annealing conditions are obtained by adjusting the temperature of the solvent, the substrate, and the anneal time. The process can assist manufacturing of lower cost displays that utilize arrays of organic thin-film transistors.