How Does e-Ink Work?
Electronic ink (e-ink) technology, developed by the MIT Media Lab in 1997, produces a low-power, paper-like display for e-readers.
E-ink is made up of microcapsules, which are about the diameter of a human hair, suspending in a liquid that is encased within a film layer. The microcapsules contain positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles. Applying a negative electrical field causes the white particles to rise on the surface, while applying a positive electrical field causes the black particles to rise on the surface. By applying different fields at different parts of a screen, e-ink produces a monochromatic text display.
E-ink displays are popular because they resemble printed paper and consume less power. The advantages of e-ink actually allow it to dominate the e-book reader market.
E-ink is made up of microcapsules, which are about the diameter of a human hair, suspending in a liquid that is encased within a film layer. The microcapsules contain positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles. Applying a negative electrical field causes the white particles to rise on the surface, while applying a positive electrical field causes the black particles to rise on the surface. By applying different fields at different parts of a screen, e-ink produces a monochromatic text display.
E-ink displays are popular because they resemble printed paper and consume less power. The advantages of e-ink actually allow it to dominate the e-book reader market.