Abstract: Methods of driving a display matrix and matrix waveforms for driving said display matrix between color states are provided. Additionally, reflective displays incorporating a waveform generator to generate a waveform to drive the display from a first color state to a second color state are also provided. The reflective displays can include a display matrix having a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes; a plurality of display elements with an actuator to modify a color of the display element upon actuation; a fixed voltage source; and a waveform generator for determining an amount of time to apply the fixed voltage to each display element to drive the display element from a first color state to a second color state. The reflective display can be based on moving colored inks into and out of the viewable area of each display element to control the color.

Abstract: Display devices and actuators and other components for a display device are provided. Display devices are provided configured to alter an optical property by moving an amount of a first fluid through which light can pass. In some aspects, the first fluid is movable within a cavity by varying an amount of pressure on the cavity; and the display includes a means of varying the amount of pressure. The means can include an actuator. An actuator is provided that has a first cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in part by a first elastomer; a second cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in by part by a second elastomer; a channel connecting the first cavity to the second cavity; and a valve configured to be electrically operated into an open state or a closed state and thereby allow or block flow of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: Display devices and actuators and other components for a display device are provided. Display devices are provided configured to alter an optical property by moving an amount of a first fluid through which light can pass. In some aspects, the first fluid is movable within a cavity by varying an amount of pressure on the cavity; and the display includes a means of varying the amount of pressure. The means can include an actuator. An actuator is provided that has a first cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in part by a first elastomer; a second cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in by part by a second elastomer; a channel connecting the first cavity to the second cavity; and a valve configured to be electrically operated into an open state or a closed state and thereby allow or block flow of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: Display devices and actuators and other components for a display device are provided. Display devices are provided configured to alter an optical property by moving an amount of a first fluid through which light can pass. In some aspects, the first fluid is movable within a cavity by varying an amount of pressure on the cavity; and the display includes a means of varying the amount of pressure. The means can include an actuator. An actuator is provided that has a first cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in part by a first elastomer; a second cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in by part by a second elastomer; a channel connecting the first cavity to the second cavity; and a valve configured to be electrically operated into an open state or a closed state and thereby allow or block flow of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modulating light thorough a transparent laminate structure. The transparent laminate structure includes at least one soft dielectric layer and at least one stiff dielectric layer having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the at least one soft dielectric layer. The transparent laminate structure further comprises a plurality of stiff conductive elements formed on a surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer that, in the presence of an electric field, compress the at least one soft dielectric layer to alter a morphology of the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer on which the plurality of stiff conductive elements are formed. Light incident on the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer is scattered by the undulating morphology of the surface, thereby reducing the transmission of light through the transparent laminate structure.

Abstract: An electrically-variable optical device includes a planar optical element (POE) and at least one electromechanical layer. The POE includes at least one optical layer. The at least one electromechanical layer is configured to spatially deform the POE to change an optical parameter of the POE. The at least one electromechanical layer may include a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) which includes electrodes and an elastomeric spacer between the electrodes. An electric field may be introduced between the electrodes to deform the spacer, which in turn deforms the POE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modulating light thorough a transparent laminate structure. The transparent laminate structure includes at least one soft dielectric layer and at least one stiff dielectric layer having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the at least one soft dielectric layer. The transparent laminate structure further comprises a plurality of stiff conductive elements formed on a surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer that, in the presence of an electric field, compress the at least one soft dielectric layer to alter a morphology of the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer on which the plurality of stiff conductive elements are formed. Light incident on the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer is scattered by the undulating morphology of the surface, thereby reducing the transmission of light through the transparent laminate structure.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an adaptive lens is provided. One such adaptive lens comprises at least one fluid-filled chamber located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens, and at least one elastomeric and substantially optically and/or acoustically transparent membrane, located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens and at least partially bounding one or more of the at least one fluid-filled chambers, wherein one or more of the at least one membranes is configured such that a shape of the membrane is altered upon receipt of an electric field. Some aspects provide a method of producing a lens comprising providing at least one chamber bounded at least in part by first and second membranes, and providing a fluid into the at least one chamber such that the fluid is located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens.

Abstract: A pixel device using optically active fluid contained within elastomeric materials and actuated through dielectric elastomer membrane is disclosed. The underlying mechanism of optical contrast in this display pixel is the spread and contraction of the fluid contained within a pre-stretched elastomer membrane and a substrate. The actuation mechanism for the fluid flow is a dielectric elastomer membrane coated with compliant electrodes on both sides. When both electrodes are connected to a voltage source, the oppositely charged electrodes attract each other, compressing the sandwiched elastomer membrane in the thickness direction but increasing its lateral dimension. Due to geometrical constraint, the change in the membrane lateral dimension results in the net volume change of the fluid reservoir, causing optically active fluid to move from the display cavity into the fluid reservoir or vice versa.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an adaptive lens is provided. One such adaptive lens comprises at least one fluid-filled chamber located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens, and at least one elastomeric and substantially optically and/or acoustically transparent membrane, located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens and at least partially bounding one or more of the at least one fluid-filled chambers, wherein one or more of the at least one membranes is configured such that a shape of the membrane is altered upon receipt of an electric field. Some aspects provide a method of producing a lens comprising providing at least one chamber bounded at least in part by first and second membranes, and providing a fluid into the at least one chamber such that the fluid is located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens.

Abstract: A pixel device using optically active fluid contained within elastomeric materials and actuated through dielectric elastomer membrane is disclosed. The underlying mechanism of optical contrast in this display pixel is the spread and contraction of the fluid contained within a pre-stretched elastomer membrane and a substrate. The actuation mechanism for the fluid flow is a dielectric elastomer membrane coated with compliant electrodes on both sides. When both electrodes are connected to a voltage source, the oppositely charged electrodes attract each other, compressing the sandwiched elastomer membrane in the thickness direction but increasing its lateral dimension. Due to geometrical constraint, the change in the membrane lateral dimension results in the net volume change of the fluid reservoir, causing optically active fluid to move from the display cavity into the fluid reservoir or vice versa.