Abstract: An EWOD device includes opposing substrates defining a gap and each including an insulating surface facing the gap. Array elements include electrode elements to which actuation voltages are applied. A pre-charging structure defines a channel in fluid communication with the gap wherein the channel receives an input of a fluid reservoir for generation of the liquid droplet, and the pre-charging structure includes an electrical element electrically exposed to the channel. The electrical element pre-charges the fluid reservoir within the channel, and a portion of the gap containing the liquid droplet spaced apart from the channel is electrically isolated from the electrical element such that the liquid droplet is at a floating electrical potential when located within said portion of the gap. The electrical element may be an electrode portion that is exposed to the channel, or an externally connected pre-charging element inserted into the channel.

Abstract: The optical device (100) includes a first substrate (10), a second substrate (20), and an optical layer (30). The first substrate includes a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12) configured to be provided with mutually different electrical potentials within a pixel. The optical layer may include a medium (31) and a plurality of shape-anisotropic particles (32) dispersed in the medium. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may include a plurality of comb teeth portions (11a, 12a) arranged at predetermined intervals along the first direction (D1). When an electric potential difference is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, the pixel may be configured to have an electrical field distribution in which a strong electric field region having a stronger field intensity than another region is periodically formed parallel to the surface of the optical layer along a second direction (D2) orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical modulator that prevents aggregation of shape-anisotropic particles. The optical modulator of the present invention includes: (1) a first substrate and a second substrate that are disposed to face each other; (2) an optical modulation layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and (3) a vertical alignment film. The optical modulation layer (2) contains: (2A) liquid crystal molecules that have a positive anisotropy of dielectric constant with a value of the anisotropy ?? of 10 or more; and (2B) shape-anisotropic particles each including a core material and a coating layer that is formed of a material containing a fluorine atom and constitutes an outer surface of the shape-anisotropic particles. The first substrate includes a pair of electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device that, as compared with a conventional microfluidic device, (i) is smoother in surface of a water-repellent layer provided above a segment electrode and (ii) makes it easier for microfluid provided in the surface of the water-repellent layer to slide. A microfluidic device (1) includes: an array substrate (10) including a plurality of electrodes (14); and a counter substrate (40) including at least one electrode (42), the array substrate (10) and the counter substrate (40) having therebetween an internal space (50) in which to cause an electroconductive droplet (51) to move across the plurality of electrodes (14), and the plurality of electrodes (14) being provided on a first flattening resin layer (13) and each being a light-blocking metal electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display panel that exhibits increased light use efficiency and decreased occurrence of display anomalies. The display panel includes substrates; a light modulating layer that contains shape-anisotropic members that rotate according to the direction of an electric field and that controls the transmittance of incident light by changing the area projected onto the substrates by the shape-anisotropic members; and supporting members that support the shape-anisotropic members and are rotatably connected thereto.

Abstract: An infrared dimming apparatus of the present invention includes an automatic control circuit that controls switching in a dimming cell between an infrared reflective state and an infrared transmissive state in accordance with a predetermined time schedule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a moth-eye film that is not likely to cause condensation on the surface. A moth-eye film including: a resin composition that, when formed into a flat film, has a contact angle with water of larger than 5° but smaller than 31.3°, the contact angle measured between a surface of the flat film and a droplet of water dropped onto the surface of the flat film, after 100 msec from contact of the droplet and the surface.

Abstract: A modulation layer in a display device is made of a dispersion liquid including: a plurality of shape-anisotropic members that, by rotating or moving in accordance with changes in the magnitude of frequency of an applied voltage, change the area thereof projected onto substrates in a direction normal to the substrates; a dispersion medium; and a thickening agent. When shear stress applied to the dispersion liquid is high, the thickening agent reduces the viscosity of the dispersion liquid more than when shear stress is low.

Abstract: A front light (1) includes a light source (8), a light guide plate (9), and a plurality of dots (4) that are provided on a surface of the light guide plate (9), which surface faces a light exit surface of the light guide plate (9). Each of the plurality of dots (4) includes (i) a light reflective layer (2) for reflecting light toward the light guide plate (9), and (ii) a dark layer (3) for absorbing light, the dark layer completely covering the light reflective layer (2) so as to be in contact with the light guide plate (9) without any gap between the light guide plate (9) and the dark layer (3).

Abstract: Provided are a display panel and a display device in which light usage efficiency can be improved using a simple structure. A light modulating layer disposed between substrates of a display panel includes a polar solvent, a non-polar solvent, and hydrophilic shape-anisotropic members. The hydrophilic substrate is in contact with the polar solvent and the hydrophobic substrate is in contact with the non-polar solvent. The disposition of the shape-anisotropic hydrophilic members in the light modulating layer is varied by varying the voltage applied to the light modulating layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a moth-eye film that is not likely to cause condensation on the surface. A moth-eye film including: a resin composition that, when formed into a flat film, has a contact angle with water of larger than 5° but smaller than 31.3°, the contact angle measured between a surface of the flat film and a droplet of water dropped onto the surface of the flat film, after 100 msec from contact of the droplet and the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display panel that exhibits increased light use efficiency and decreased occurrence of display anomalies. The display panel includes substrates; a light modulating layer that contains shape-anisotropic members that rotate according to the direction of an electric field and that controls the transmittance of incident light by changing the area projected onto the substrates by the shape-anisotropic members; and supporting members that support the shape-anisotropic members and are rotatably connected thereto.

Abstract: A display element (10) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (second substrate) (3), and a polar liquid (16) that is sealed in a display space (S) formed between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3) so as to be moved toward an effective display region (P1) or a non-effective display region (P2). A rib (14) hermetically divides the inside of the display space (S) in accordance with each of a plurality of pixel regions (P). A movement space (K) in which an oil (insulating fluid) (17) is moved is provided for each of the pixel regions (P).

Abstract: A display element (2) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (8), a lower substrate (second substrate) (9), and a polar liquid (21) that is sealed in a display space (5) formed between the upper substrate (8) and the lower substrate (9) so as to be moved toward an effective display region (P1) or a non-effective display region (P2). Each of a plurality of pixel regions (P) includes a thin film transistor (switching element) (SW) connected to a signal electrode (10) and a scanning electrode (11). In each of the pixel regions (P), a first common electrode (13) is provided on the effective display region (P1) side, and a pixel electrode (12) connected to the thin film transistor (SW) is provided on the non-effective display region (P2) side.

Abstract: Provided is an antifouling structure (4) for removing fouling on a surface (1a) of a solar cell (object) (1). The antifouling structure (4) includes a first electrode (5) and a second electrode (6) provided on the surface (1a) of the solar cell (1); a power supply (8) for applying voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode (5, 6); and a water-repellent dielectric layer (7) provided so as to cover at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode (5, 6). Voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode (5, 6) from the power supply (8) such that an angle at which water (polar liquid) (10) present on the water-repellent dielectric layer (7) contacts the water-repellent dielectric layer decreases.

Abstract: A front light (1) includes a light source (8), a light guide plate (9), and a plurality of dots (4) that are provided on a surface of the light guide plate (9), which surface faces a light exit surface of the light guide plate (9). Each of the plurality of dots (4) includes (i) a light reflective layer (2) for reflecting light toward the light guide plate (9), and (ii) a dark layer (3) for absorbing light, the dark layer completely covering the light reflective layer (2) so as to be in contact with the light guide plate (9) without any gap between the light guide plate (9) and the dark layer (3).

Abstract: A display device (10) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (second substrate) (3), and a conductive liquid (16) that is movably sealed in a display space (S) formed between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3). In the display device (10), an electrode member (f) for filling the conductive liquid (16) is provided in the display space (S) and configured so that a predetermined voltage can be applied thereto, and the conductive liquid (16) is filled in the display space (S) by applying the predetermined voltage to the electrode member (f).

Abstract: In a display device (10) that includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (second substrate) (3), and a polar liquid (16) and an oil (insulating fluid) (17) that are movable toward an effective display area (P1) or a non-effective display area (P2) in a display space (S) between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3), the contact angle ?0 of the polar liquid (16) in the oil (17) is 150 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less to a water-repellent film (surface film) (15).

Abstract: Oil (an insulating fluid) (17), which does not mix with a polar liquid (16), is enclosed within each of multiple pixel regions (p), in a display element (10) which is equipped with an upper substrate (a first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (a second substrate) (3), the polar liquid (16) which is enclosed within a display space (S) formed between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3) so as to be movable toward an effective display region (P1) or a non-effective display region (P2). Furthermore, a surface active agent (19) is added to at least one of the polar liquid (16) and the oil (17).

Abstract: A display device (10) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (second substrate) (3), and a conductive liquid (16) that is movably sealed in a display space (S) formed between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3). In the display device (10), a signal electrode (first electrode) (4) is provided on the upper substrate (2), and a scanning electrode (second electrode) (5) and a reference electrode (third electrode) (6) are provided on the lower substrate (3). The signal electrode (4) comes into contact with the conductive liquid (16) and is made of a material that is electrochemically inert to the conductive liquid (16).