Electronically addressable microencapsulated ink and display thereof

Abstract

A system of electronically active inks is described which may include electronically addressable contrast media, conductors, insulators, resistors, semiconductive materials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, optoelectronic, thermoelectric or radio frequency materials. We further describe a printing system capable of laying down said materials in a definite pattern. Such a system may be used for instance to: print a flat panel display complete with onboard drive logic; print a working logic circuit onto any of a large class of substrates; print an electrostatic or piezoelectric motor with onboard logic and feedback or print a working radio transmitter or receiver.

1 . An electrophoretic display comprising a substrate having a cavity therein, a liquid suspension contained in the cavity and comprising electrophoretic particles having an optical property, and a sealing member sealing the cavity, the sealing member having been formed by polymerization of a polymerizable species. 
     
     
         2 . An electrophoretic display according to  claim 1  wherein the substrate has a plurality of cavities therein, each cavity having a liquid suspension contained in the cavity and comprising electrophoretic particles having an optical property, and each cavity being sealed by a sealing member. 
     
     
         3 . An electrophoretic display according to  claim 1  wherein the substrate is flexible. 
     
     
         4 . An electrophoretic display according to  claim 1  wherein the liquid suspension comprises a first species of electrophoretic particles having a first optical property and a second species of electrophoretic particles having a second optical property different from the first optical property. 
     
     
         5 . An electrophoretic display according to  claim 4  wherein the first and second species of electrophoretic particles are oppositely charged. 
     
     
         6 . An electrophoretic display according to  claim 1  wherein the liquid suspension further comprises a dielectric solvent. 
     
     
         7 . An electrophoretic display according to  claim 6  wherein the dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of the liquid suspension.