E-INK
– SCI & TECH
News:
Unlocking the science of
E Ink displays: Why we believe they must catch on
What's
in the news?
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With their crisp, paper-like screens,
e-readers like the Kindle are a pleasure to read on.
E-Ink
Displays:
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An E-ink display is a screen that aims to replicate the experience of reading and
writing on paper.
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They are used in e-readers like the Amazon Kindle.
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The technology was originally developed in
the 1990s at MIT and is now owned by E Ink Corporation.
Working:
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The screens work using tiny microcapsules filled with positively charged white particles
and negatively charged black ones suspended in fluid inside the display.
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By applying positive or negative
electrical charges to different areas of the screen, the white or black
particles can be made to rise to the surface, creating the text and images on
the display.
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Unlike LCD and LED displays that use a
backlight, E Ink displays reflect light
– just like paper. This makes them
easier on the eyes for long reading sessions.
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They also require very little power since they don’t need a backlight and only use
energy when the image changes.
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The lack of backlighting also means that
they are easier to read under
brighter lighting conditions, which isn’t the case with LCD/LED displays at all
– legibility actually takes a hit under bright sunlight.
Advantages
of E-Ink Displays:
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They consume less power compared to LCD and OLED displays.
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They can display a static image for weeks
or months without needing a charge. This makes them ideal for long battery life.
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They cause less strain on the user’s eyes.
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They are being used at bus stop displays,
walking direction signs, and some restaurants’ menu boards.
Disadvantages
of E-Ink Displays:
●
They have a slow refresh rate compared to
LCD and OLED displays. This makes them unsuitable
for video or animation.
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They have limitations of colour and resolution compared to other display
technologies.
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They are expensive, especially in larger sizes. This limits their use to
mostly e-readers.