Electrowetting Promises Power-Sipping, Daylight Readable Color Displays

Dutch researchers are working on a new application of an old technology that could mean bright color displays that draw much less power than conventional LCDs, according to the BBC. In this application, an instance of a technique known as electrowetting, droplets of colored oil in suspension are the basis for the display's colors; each pixel's color is determined by moving the colored oils with electrical current. A prototype reader from Dutch firm Liquivista is shown in the accompanying video; color magazines with 50-60hz refresh time using this display technology are at least a few years out, though. Significantly, these screens are daylight readable, which makes me wonder how they compare to Pixel-Qi style screens in power draw, brightness, and maximum density.

Daylight readable?

[Anonymous Coward]

Who cares. Just work at night and sleep during daylight. Problem solved.

Cool

[nurb432]

If its low power and cheaper then LCD or E-ink, lets hope it continues. Might even be more earth friendly.

And hey, i see big buck bunny :)

Electrowetting

[Anti_Climax]

After "Hot Electron Injection", Electrowetting has to be one of the sexiest technology terms I've heard in recent years...

Re:Interesting technnology, +1 for open source

[JohnBailey]

I've seen it in quite a few places recently. It's not a random choice. It's royalty free clip available in just about any format or resolution. So basically, do what you like so long as you don't claim it as your own work. And as it isn't advertising anything, it can be used by the BBC too. Even test clips can have some kind of copyright attached, and can bite you in the bum when you are demoing something on TV or in public. BBB is 100% safe to use for tech demos without paying a fee, or asking specific permission.