Abstract: A method for degassing a microfluidic droplet by combining electrowetting and heating to induce formation of gaseous bubbles in the droplet. In an embodiment the methods are carried out on an active matrix of electrowetting electrodes including a hydrophobic coating. A carrier fluid is flowed against the droplet motion propelled by electrowetting to facilitate rapid removal of the gasses departing the droplet.

Abstract: A method of forming a color-changing fiber that can be incorporated into fabrics and other woven materials. The color changing fibers include an annular wall and a conductive wire axially extending through the annular wall, a core strand surrounded by the annular wall and extending axially through a central portion of the fiber, and an encapsulated electro-optic medium disposed on a surface of the core strand.

Abstract: A magneto-electrophoretic medium that can be globally and locally addressed and erased. The medium provides a writeable display with no perceivable lag and the ability to write and erase with only minimal power requirements. In particular, the magneto-electrophoretic medium can be erased by providing a subthreshold electric stimulus and supplementing a second non-electric stimulus that disturbs the written state and allows the magneto-electrophoretic particles to return to their original state.

Abstract: Improved methods for driving an active matrix of pixel electrodes controlled with thin film transistors when the voltage on a top electrode is being altered between driving frames. The methods described increase performance by providing smaller swings in the overall voltage between the top electrode and pixel electrode while reducing stress on the thin film transistor.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, and compositions for the real-time detection of protein synthesis. The methods are applicable to monitoring on a microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for making electrophoretic displays layers including various thin films that are deposited directly onto a layer of microcapsules of electrophoretic media. In an embodiment, a thin film of a light-transmissive conductive material is deposited to create a clear front electrode for an electrophoretic display. In some embodiments, both a dielectric layer and a thin film of a light-transmissive conductive material will be deposited onto the microcapsules.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for pressure-sensitive, electrophoretic displays, which may optionally include haptic feedback. A display may comprise a first conductive layer having a pressure-sensitive conductivity and an electrophoretic layer positioned adjacent to the first conductive layer, wherein the electrophoretic layer is in electrical communication with the first conductive layer and is configured to locally change state based on a pressure applied to the first conductive layer. Local and global writing and erasing of the display can also be achieved.

Abstract: An electro-optic device comprising electrophoretic medium including a dispersion of a plurality of particles in a fluid configured to migrate within the fluid in a direction responsive to an applied electric field. The plurality of particles include a first type of particles having a first charge of a first charge polarity, a second type of particles having a second charge of a second charge polarity, and a third type of particles having a third charge of the second charge polarity. The first charge polarity is opposite to the second charge polarity, and the third type of particles are configured to migrate within the fluid in a direction responsive to an applied magnetic field gradient.

Abstract: Methods of making a top-plane connection in an electro-optic device and devices including such connections. A through hole is created through a rear substrate to provide a connection between a conductor coupled to the rear substrate and a light-transmissive conductive layer coupled to a top transparent substrate. The hole is subsequently filled with a top-plane connection material that provides an electrical connection between the conductor and the light-transmissive conductive layer, but does not provide an electrical connection between a separate rear conductive layer and the light-transmissive conductor.

Abstract: A variable transmission film may include an electrophoretic medium having a plurality of capsules and a binder, each capsule containing a plurality of electrically charged particles and a fluid, the charged particles being movable by application of an electric field and being capable of being switched between an open state and a closed state. The film may include at least one of a binder containing fish gelatin and a polyanion; a binder containing one or more tinting agents; capsules containing charge control agents, such as an oligoamine-terminated polyolefin and a branched chain fatty acid comprising at least 8 carbon atoms; a selection of capsules in which at least 60% have a diameter between 50 ?m and 90 ?m and at least 15% have a diameter between 20 ?m and 49 ?m; a tinted adhesive layer; and a fluid selected from one or more nonconjugated olefinic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for moving an aqueous droplet comprising providing an electrokinetic device including a first substrate having a matrix of electrodes, wherein each of the matrix electrodes is coupled to a thin film transistor, and wherein the matrix electrodes are overcoated with a functional coating comprising: a dielectric layer in contact with the matrix electrodes, a conformal layer in contact with the dielectric layer, and a hydrophobic layer in contact with the confornial layer; a second substrate comprising a top electrode; a spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining an electrokinetic workspace; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the niatrix electrodes. The method further comprises disposing an aqueous droplet on a first matrix electrode; and providing a differential electrical potential between the first matrix electrode and a second matrix electrode with the voltage source, thereby moving the aqueous droplet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for pressure-sensitive, electrophoretic displays, which may optionally include haptic feedback. A display may comprise a first conductive layer having a pressure-sensitive conductivity and an electrophoretic layer positioned adjacent to the first conductive layer, wherein the electrophoretic layer is in electrical communication with the first conductive layer and is configured to locally change state based on a pressure applied to the first conductive layer. Local and global writing and erasing of the display can also be achieved.

Abstract: A digital microfluidic device, comprising: (a) a bottom plate comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes; (b) a composite top plate comprising: a top plate substrate of a first material; a top plate common electrode, and a plurality of penetrations through the top plate substrate, wherein at least one of the penetrations contains a second material having at least one of: a higher thermal conductivity than the first material, and a higher magnetic permeability than the first material.

Abstract: A display device (30) comprises a reflective display (38) arranged to render a first image viewable through a viewing surface and a projection means (31-37) arranged to render a second image viewable in reflection on the viewing surface, the reflective display (38) and the projection means (31-37) being mounted on a common frame.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprising at least two separate layers of electro-optic material, with one of these layers being capable of displaying at least one optical state which cannot be displayed by the other layer. The display is driven by a single set of electrodes between which both layers are sandwiched, the two layers being controllable at least partially independently of one another. Another form of the invention uses three different types of particles within a single electrophoretic layer, with the three types of particles being arranged to shutter independently of one another.

Abstract: An electrowetting system is disclosed. The system includes electrodes configured to manipulate droplets of fluid in a microfluidic space. Each electrode is coupled to circuitry operative to selectively apply a driving voltage to the electrode. The system includes a dielectric stack including a first dielectric pair comprising a first layer having a first dielectric constant and a second layer having a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is larger than the first dielectric constant. The dielectric stack includes a second dielectric pair comprising a third layer having a third dielectric constant and a fourth layer having a fourth dielectric constant. The fourth dielectric constant is larger than the third dielectric constant. A ratio of a thickness of the fourth layer to a thickness of the third layer (T4:T3) is in the range from about 2:1 to about 8:1. The second dielectric pair is thinner than the first dielectric pair.

Abstract: A fiber capable of switching optical states is provided. The fiber includes a laminate having a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an electro-optic material between the first and second electrode layers, at least one of the first and second electrode layers being light-transmissive and a sheath surrounding the laminate. The fiber may have a ribbon-like structure, i.e. a width that is substantially greater than its thickness. The electro-optic medium may be an encapsulated electrophoretic medium.

Abstract: A variable transmission film may include an electrophoretic medium having a plurality of capsules and a binder, each capsule containing a plurality of electrically charged particles and a fluid, the charged particles being movable by application of an electric field and being capable of being switched between an open state and a closed state. The film may include at least one of a binder containing fish gelatin and a polyanion; a binder containing one or more tinting agents; capsules containing charge control agents, such as an oligoamine-terminated polyolefin and a branched chain fatty acid comprising at least 8 carbon atoms; a selection of capsules in which at least 60% have a diameter between 50 ?m and 90 ?m and at least 15% have a diameter between 20 ?m and 49 ?m; a tinted adhesive layer; and a fluid selected from one or more nonconjugated olefinic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprising at least two separate layers of electro-optic material, with one of these layers being capable of displaying at least one optical state which cannot be displayed by the other layer. The display is driven by a single set of electrodes between which both layers are sandwiched, the two layers being controllable at least partially independently of one another. Another form of the invention uses three different types of particles within a single electrophoretic layer, with the three types of particles being arranged to shutter independently of one another.

Abstract: A digital microfluidic device including a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate includes a top plate substrate, a top plate common electrode, and a first hydrophobic layer covering the top plate common electrode. A plurality of wells are present in the top plate, and the surface of at least one of the wells is more hydrophilic than the surface of the first hydrophobic layer. The bottom plate includes a bottom electrode array comprising a plurality of digital microfluidic propulsion electrodes, and a second hydrophobic layer covering the bottom electrode array. The top plate and the bottom plate are provided in a spaced relationship defining a microfluidic region therebetween to permit droplet motion within the microfluidic region under application of propulsion voltages between the bottom electrode array and the common top electrode.