Multi-phase liquid composition and optical electrowetting device that incorporates the same
The present invention relates to a multi-phase liquid composition comprising a conductive fluid and a non-conductive fluid, the non-conductive fluid being immiscible in the conductive fluid, the composition having a mean arithmetic cinematic viscosity of between about 1.5 cSt and about 40 cSt, within a temperature range of about −20° C. to about +70° C. The invention also pertains to an optical electrowetting device comprising said multi-phase liquid composition, as well as an optical lens driven by electrowetting, and apparatus comprising the same.
1. A method of making an optical electrowetting device, comprising:
incorporating, into an electrowetting structure, a non-conductive fluid comprising a mono germane compound substituted by one or more aryl groups.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mono germane compound is diphenyldimethylgermane or phenyltrimethylgermane.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the optical electrowetting device is an optical lens driven by electrowetting.
4. A method of making an optical electrowetting device, comprising:
incorporating, into an electrowetting structure, a non-conductive fluid comprising one selected from a group consisting of a compound of formula (I), a compound of formula (II), and a mixture thereof, as hydrolysis-resistant compound:
wherein:
X, X′ and X 2 are halogen atoms;
A is linear or branched (C 4 -C 20 )alkylene, optionally substituted by halogen atom(s), and optionally comprising one or more double bond, or one or more triple bond;
Ak is C 1 -C 10 alkyl, preferably C 1 -C 6 alkyl; and
p and q are each chosen from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, provided that p+q is 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the hydrolysis-resistant compound is 1-bromo-4-ethylbenzene or α,ω-dichloro-octane.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the optical electrowetting device is an optical lens driven by electrowetting.
7. A method of making an optical electrowetting device, comprising:
incorporating into an electrowetting structure a non-conductive fluid comprising at least one compound of formula (III)
wherein:
R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently one of alkyl, (hetero)alkyl, (hetero)arylalkyl, (hetero)arylalkenyl, (hetero)arylalkyl, or cycloalkyl.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the optical electrowetting device is an optical lens driven by electrowetting.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one compound of formula (III) is diphenyldimethylgermane or phenyltrimethylgermane.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one compound of formula (III) is used as a wetting agent.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one compound of formula (III) is used as a hydrolysis-resistant compound.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one compound of formula (III) is used as a viscosity-lowering agent.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one compound of formula (III) is used as a density adjusting agent compound.
14. An optical electrowetting device comprising a conductive fluid and a non-conductive fluid that is immiscible in the conductive fluid, wherein the non conductive fluid comprises at least one compound of formula (III)
wherein:
R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently one of alkyl, (hetero)alkyl, (hetero)arylalkyl, (hetero)arylalkenyl, (hetero)arylalkyl, or cycloalkyl.