Most people have seen e-paper in devices like Kindle screens. Rapid development is occurring on full color e-paper, to create low energy displays. Some of these color e-paper displays are being integrated into surfaces to create smart surfaces. Could we soon see luminaires that are front lit and incorporate color e-paper to create luminaires with smart surfaces that display information and images?
E-paper’s low power consumption: E-paper displays, unlike traditional back-lit screens, only consume power when the image is changed. This inherent energy efficiency makes them attractive for sustainable design and potentially for use in light fixtures, reducing their overall energy impact.
Color e-paper advancements: Companies like E Ink are pushing the boundaries of color e-paper with technologies like Spectra™ 6 and Marquee™. These advancements are enabling more vibrant colors and broader applications.
Integrating displays into surfaces: E Ink’s Prism™ ePaper technology, known for its ability to enable surfaces to change color dynamically, offers a glimpse into how e-paper could be incorporated into everyday objects, including cars and potentially light fixtures.
“Intelligent” or digital surfaces: The concept of making surfaces “intelligent” or digital through integration of displays is gaining traction. This trend could lead to light fixtures that have built-in information displays or visual elements that can be dynamically updated. E-paper would require that these display surfaces be lit from front rather than back-lit.
Examples of companies exploring this integration:
Samsung: Samsung has showcased their Color E-Paper (EMDX model) as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional signage, suggesting its potential for broader integration into various products and systems.
E Ink: E Ink is explicitly exploring the integration of their e-paper technology into materials, including those potentially used by luminaire (light fixture) manufacturers.
Wallboard: Wallboard integrates ePaper technology for digital signage and has developed front-lighting solutions to improve visibility in low-light conditions, demonstrating an understanding of the interplay between light and e-paper displays.
Potential applications in light fixtures:
Information display: A light fixture could incorporate a color e-paper display to show temperature, time, room occupancy, or even artistic patterns.
Dynamic color elements: The e-paper could allow certain elements of the fixture to change color dynamically for decorative purposes or to convey specific information visually.
Interactive surfaces: Future iterations of e-paper technology may allow for touch inputs, enabling users to interact directly with the fixture to adjust settings or personalize its appearance.
While integrated color e-paper light fixtures are not yet available, the underlying technologies and exploration of this concept by major players suggest that they are a strong possibility for future lighting designs.
More information on the development of color e-paper can be found here.
Image: E Ink Spectra 6 color e-paper, https://www.eink.com/brand/detail/Spectra6
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