Organic-Metallic Hybrid Polymer Electronic Paper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic papers face challenges in displaying color without a complicated structure and are costly due to their complex processing requirements.

Innovation Solution

An electronic printable medium using an organic-metallic hybrid polymer with a conductive sheet-shaped member, where the polymer exhibits color change based on metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption, allowing for simple structure and low-cost production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an electronic paper uses a complicated structure to display color, then color display capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the conductive sheet and organic-metallic hybrid polymer into a single integrated electronic printable medium. The conductive sheet serves dual purposes as both structural support and electrical conductor, while the polymer layer provides both color display and electrochromic functionality. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes electrochromic polymers that change optical properties (color) in response to electrical potential changes. By applying different voltages, the polymer transitions between colored and transparent states, enabling color display without physical structure changes. This parameter-based control simplifies the device structure while maintaining color display capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If an electronic paper uses a complicated structure to display color, then color display capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive sheet and organic-metallic hybrid polymer are combined into a single integrated medium that can be manufactured as one unit. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating multiple assembly steps and reducing the number of components that need to be handled separately during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The organic-metallic hybrid polymer exhibits self-coloring properties through electrochromic effects, where the material itself undergoes color changes in response to electrical stimulation without requiring external coloring mechanisms or additional components. This self-service capability reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If an electronic paper has a simple structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but color display capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcolor display capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electrochromic polymers that utilize electrical potential parameters to control color display. By simply applying different voltages to the simple structure, the polymer transitions between different color states, enabling full color display capability without complex mechanical or optical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The use of organic-metallic hybrid polymers creates a composite material that combines the advantages of both organic materials (flexibility, ease of processing) and metallic components (electrical conductivity, electrochromic properties). This composite approach enables color display in a simple structure by leveraging the unique properties of the hybrid material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables color printing with a simple structure and low-cost production, providing electronic printability and usability similar to paper, with the ability to control color appearance and disappearance by adjusting electric potential.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer exhibits color change based on metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2618210B1Electronic printable medium, method for printing on electronic printable medium and system comprising electronic printable medium and electronic print device
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 NAT INST FOR MATERIALS SCI
  • EP2618210B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2618210B1 patent drawingFigure 5(A)~5(C)
  • EP2618210B1 patent drawingFigure 6(A)~6(C)

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic printable medium containing a conductive sheet-shaped member and an organic-metallic hybrid polymer which has been deposited on the conductive sheet-shaped member. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic paper having excellent properties such as productivity with low cost, availability of an ultrathin electronic paper and availability of a multi-color printing.