Novel electronic paper technology
Conventional outdoor electronic message boards (OEMBs) create high-quality pictures based on different technologies such as light-emitting diode display, liquid-crystal display or plasma display panel. However, such flat panel technologies are very power consuming, which hinder electrically autonomous OEMB development. In the EU-funded project E-SIGNAGE , scientists developed large-area display technology with solar panels for power autonomy and integrated software. The devices were based on the wireless global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology. The unique bi-stable reflective electronic display technology provide paper-like images. The electronics for the reflective display was optimised for energy efficiency and a solar cell system was used for locations without access to power networks. Project approach was based on an electrophoretic display active layer. Based on this, each pixel consists of microscopic capsules that contain black and white particles moving in opposite directions under the electric field influence. Carbon nanomaterials and nanobuds were used in the front-layer and back-layer electronics. Scientists managed to double the transparent conductive film conductivity in the front-plane layer and quadrupled nanobud production rate. Regarding the back-plane OEMB layer, the team demonstrated enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial synthesis and a working flexible thin-film transistor. The display controller unit software that displays text, still and moving images was tested successfully. The software also enabled low-power consumption and had an auto-update mechanism. Several demonstrators were developed and tested onsite. Production costs were low with inexpensive materials and use of commercially available manufacturer components. These robust devices can withstand temperature and ultraviolet light for a long service life and comes with video capability. E-SIGNAGE has produced outdoor display technology that is expected to find application in a huge global market.
Keywords
Wireless, solar panel, outdoor electronic message board, electrophoretic display, carbon nanomaterials, nanobuds, transistor
