Deformable Soft Dielectric Light Modulation via Electrostatic Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light modulation technologies face limitations in achieving significant changes in light transmittance and contrast ratio, often requiring large actuation strains, lateral expansion, or specific voltage thresholds, which restrict their application in smart windows and privacy solutions.

Innovation Solution

A light modulation device comprising a transparent laminate structure with a soft dielectric layer and stiff conductive elements that compress the soft dielectric layer upon an electric field application, altering its surface morphology to scatter light and control transmittance, thereby providing tunable dimming and privacy features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional light modulation technologies are used, then light transmittance control is achieved, but significant changes in contrast ratio require large actuation strains and voltage thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmittanceVSAvoidactuation strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the dielectric material from rigid to soft/compliant, enabling significant morphology changes under lower actuation strains and voltages. This parameter change in material compliance allows the system to achieve large optical property changes without requiring high actuation forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures combining soft dielectric layers with conductive elements to create a system where electrical actuation produces mechanical deformation. This composite approach enables efficient coupling between electrical input and optical output, achieving high contrast ratios with reduced actuation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If conventional light modulation technologies are used, then light transmittance is controlled, but significant contrast ratio changes require large lateral expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmittanceVSAvoidlateral expansion

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts the deformation mechanism from lateral expansion in the plane to thickness compression in the vertical dimension. By applying electric fields that compress the soft dielectric layer perpendicular to its surface, the system achieves morphology changes without requiring large lateral expansions, thus solving the volume constraint issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional light modulation technologies are used, then basic dimming is achieved, but tunable dimming and privacy features require specific voltage thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetunable dimmingVSAvoidvoltage threshold

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the soft dielectric's ability to undergo continuous morphology changes in response to varying electric field strengths. This enables tunable dimming across a range of voltages without requiring discrete threshold transitions, providing adaptable privacy and dimming control with smoother energy consumption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables efficient control of light transmittance and contrast ratio, allowing for significant changes in optical properties without the need for extensive actuation strains or voltage thresholds, enhancing the functionality of smart windows and privacy applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one soft dielectric layer and at least one stiff dielectric layer... a plurality of stiff conductive elements formed on a surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer that, in the presence of an electric field, compress the at least one soft dielectric layer to alter a morphology of the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic compression: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the altered morphology of the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer is configured to scatter light incident on the transparent laminate structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS10895736B2Methods and apparatus for modulating light using a deformable soft dielectric

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for modulating light thorough a transparent laminate structure. The transparent laminate structure includes at least one soft dielectric layer and at least one stiff dielectric layer having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the at least one soft dielectric layer. The transparent laminate structure further comprises a plurality of stiff conductive elements formed on a surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer that, in the presence of an electric field, compress the at least one soft dielectric layer to alter a morphology of the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer on which the plurality of stiff conductive elements are formed. Light incident on the surface of the at least one soft dielectric layer is scattered by the undulating morphology of the surface, thereby reducing the transmission of light through the transparent laminate structure.