How Does E-Ink Function?
Tiny microcapsules are suspended in a liquid enclosed in a film layer when using e-ink technology. The microcapsules, about the width of a human hair, are made up of negatively and positively charged black and white particles.
The white particles surface when a negative electrical field is applied. On the other hand, when a positive electrical lot is used, the black particles ascend to the top. E-ink creates a monochrome text display using different fields in various screen areas.
Because they mimic printed paper, e-ink displays are particularly well-liked. E-ink displays use less electricity than other display technologies, especially when compared to backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, in addition to being easier on the eyes.
E-ink dominated the early e-book reader industry due to these benefits and early adoption by significant e-reader manufacturers like Amazon and Sony.
Using E-Ink
E-ink was popular among the several e-readers available at the start of the 2000s, especially the Sony Reader, Kobo eReader, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Amazon Kindle. It received kudos for maintaining clarity in direct sunlight. It is still accessible on select Kindle and Kobo e-readers, although other screen technologies now dominate most of the e-reader market.
Several early smartphones featured e-ink technology. It spread to wearables, electronic shelf signs, and traffic signage, among other applications.
Issues with E-Ink
Despite being widely used, e-ink technology has drawbacks. E-ink couldn’t display colour until recently. Additionally, typical e-ink displays lack illumination, unlike conventional LCDs, which makes them difficult to read in low light. They are also unable to show videos.
E Ink Corporation worked to advance its technology to compete with display technologies like reflective LCD. Touch-screen capabilities were added, the company introduced its first colour display in late 2010, and through 2013, it only manufactured limited-colour screens.
High-Tech Color ePaper
The Advanced Color ePaper (ACEP), which can display thousands of hues, was introduced by E Ink Corporation in 2016. The fact that each pixel contains all the pigments required to recreate any hue accurately makes the technology a breakthrough.
The signage sector is the primary target market for this colour technology. E-ink technology, which first gained popularity in the e-book reader market, has now spread to various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and product labelling.