Electrochromic Gel for Stretchable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic displays face challenges in flexibility and cost due to complex device structures and the presence of electrode layers, which hinder their ability to be rolled like paper and maintain electronic printing without electric power.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic gel with a laminated structure consisting of an electrolyte-containing gel layer and an organic-metallic hybrid polymer layer, where the electrolyte-containing gel layer consists only of an electrolyte-containing gel, allowing for reversible coloring and decoloring by electric field control, and a method for producing this gel involving a polymer film coated with an electrolyte-containing gel, enabling flexible and stretchable electronic information displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrode layer is present in the electrochromic element structure, then the electrochromic function is achieved, but the flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electrode layer from the electrochromic element structure, retaining only the essential gel electrolyte layer and organic-metallic hybrid polymer layer. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of the electrode layer on flexibility while preserving the core electrochromic functionality through the gel electrolyte system.
2Reliability
If a complex device structure is used to achieve electronic paper display function, then the display functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary structural components from conventional electronic paper display devices, retaining only the essential gel electrolyte layer and organic-metallic hybrid polymer layer. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the core electronic paper display functionality of maintaining printed information without power.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel electrolyte layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the electrolyte medium for electrochromic switching, provides structural support, enables flexibility, and eliminates the need for separate electrode layers. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and manufacturing steps.
3Reliability
If conventional electrochromic element structure is used, then electrochromic switching is achieved, but the ability to be rolled like paper deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rigid electrode layers that prevent rolling, retaining only the flexible gel electrolyte layer and organic-metallic hybrid polymer layer. This extraction enables the display to be rolled like paper while maintaining electrochromic switching functionality through the gel electrolyte system.
4Reliability
If electrode layer is present in electronic printed medium, then electrochromic display is achieved, but the flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electrode layer from the electronic printed medium structure, retaining only the gel electrolyte layer and organic-metallic hybrid polymer layer. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of the electrode layer on flexibility while preserving the electrochromic display functionality through the gel electrolyte system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electrochromic gel achieves flexible and stretchable electronic displays that can maintain printed information for several hours without power, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling easy production and electronic printing/erasing through electric field control.
Implementation Method 1
an organic-metallic hybrid polymer capable of coloring and decoloring in a stretchable gel (soft electrolyte layer)
Implementation Method 2
electrolyte-containing gel layer consisting only of an electrolyte-containing gel
Data Source
AI summary
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrochromic gel which is excellent in flexibility and which is stretchable, a method for producing the gel, a method for controlling electronic printing and erasing, and a stretchable display. The problem is solved by using an electrochromic gel obtained by laminating an electrolyte-containing gel layer consisting only of an electrolyte-containing gel and an organic-metallic hybrid polymer-containing layer obtained by containing an organic-metallic hybrid polymer in the electrolyte-containing gel.