Novel optical display technology based on MEMS and metasurface structural colors targeting sustainable displays for consuming electronics

The OPTICS project aims to improve the recent reported display technique of MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) metasurface structural colors (applicant’s previous work), through re-designing the color filers and the MEMS cantilevers, for practical display applications for consuming electronics.

The proposed technology combines transmission-based plasmonic structural colors with MEMS micro cantilevers to realise full range RGB displays, while using only two common earth-abundant materials: Aluminum (Al) and silicon oxide (SiO2), potentially for cost effective products and fast operation performance.

Optical displays play a ubiquitous role in daily life, being an essential component of smartphones, computers, televisions, etc. However, these devices make up roughly half of the 50 million tons of e-waste produced globally every year.

In estimate, 40 million tons are generally ending up in burn pits or landfills in developing countries, causing environment and health problems.

There is an urgent need for alternative display technologies which are easier to recycle and are financially feasible to be incorporated into sustainable consumer electronics. Structural colors could be an ideal technology for next-generation optical displays. Several reports have been published on controllable / tunable structural colors towards optical displays.

However, none of them meet the basic requirements, namely: control individual pixel by voltage, control color of individual pixels, and control brightness of individual pixels.

We will examine a new type of optical display technology based on structural colors and MEMS to meet the above requirements.

Implemented at the University of Southern Denmark, this project will allow the fellow to enhance both scientific and communication skills, through a well-designed training program (courses, workshops, regular meeting with supervisors), a data management plan, as well as measures for knowledge exchange and dissemination/communication.