Understanding color—and harnessing its impact—has been a pursuit for scientists, designers, artists, and product innovators for centuries. Sir Isaac Newton's experiments in the 17th century revealed the color spectrum, laying the foundation for modern color theory. This exploration has continued through the ages, influencing everything from Henry Ford's Model T to Apple's colorful computers. The transition from black and white to color has become a well-worn path in media, influencing how we perceive and interact with the world around us. With the influence colors have on different emotions and responses, it is no surprise that it is a critical consideration in the field of design and product development. It is no different in the world of ePaper.
E Ink is the pioneer of ePaper technology— unlike traditional screens, our ePaper is reflective, relying on ambient light, making it easier and safer on your eyes to read, even in bright sunlight. Remarkably, the bi-stable technology requires power only when the screen changes, making it highly energy efficient. But this unique technology means it is more difficult to execute color spectrum than traditional LCD screens. Despite the challenges, E Ink has successful developed the unique ePaper technology necessary to display vibrant colors.
The Complex Journey to Colorized Digital Paper
Originally developed at MIT, E Ink was founded in 1997 to commercialize its unique technology. From its early days, E Ink faced the challenge of adding color to its displays due to the need for light to pass through multiple layers, which diminishes brightness and color saturation. Unlike LCDs, which use a color filter array to produce color, E Ink must manipulate tiny ink particles within microcapsules, complicating the creation of a broad and vivid color palette.
Since its inception, E Ink has been committed to developing high-quality color displays, a journey spanning over twenty years of continuous innovation. Early color attempts, like the 2010 Triton with its color filter array (CFA) technology, achieved 4,098 different colors but lacked brightness due to the additional glass layers. In 2012, E Ink acquired SiPix Corporation and their microcup technology, leading to the release of E Ink Spectra™ in 2013, featuring highly saturated black, white, and either red or yellow particles, primarily used in electronic shelf labels (ESL). The latest iteration, E Ink Spectra™ 6, was introduced in 2023 and features an enhanced color spectrum and an advanced color imaging algorithm to provide full color.
E Ink's Spectra 6 Demo
Credit: E Ink
Today, E Ink continues to refine its technology and redefine the industry, focusing on reducing screen refresh times, expanding color options, and increasing screen resolutions for eReaders and eNotes.
E Ink boasts a full suite of color solutions designed for various applications, including:
The Future of E Ink Technology
As we continue to innovate in the variety and quality of our color display, E Ink's commitment to sustainability remains a critical component of our product development. Even colorized digital E Ink products can function with minimal power, often powered by small batteries or solar panels. The applications are endless, from solar-powered bus stop signs to eNotes and dynamic surfaces that change colors.
The digital paper market is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to incorporating color, and as E Ink's color products gain popularity, we remain dedicated to innovation and improvement. The future of color digital paper is bright, sustainable, and full of possibilities, and E Ink will undoubtedly lead the way, setting new standards and opening a world of possibilities.
To learn more about E Ink’s technological journey to colorized screens, read the full e-paper here.
BMW's first Prism 3 integration
Credit: E Ink