Capsules utilizing a lubricant
View Patent ↗A capsule containing a rotatable element and a dielectric liquid including a lubricant dispersed therein.
1. A capsule comprising:
a rotatable element; and
a dielectric liquid comprising a lubricant dispersed therein, wherein the lubricant is substantially immiscible in the dielectric liquid.
2. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the lubricant reduces friction between the rotatable element and an inner wall of the capsule.
3. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the lubricant comprises particles of about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm in diameter.
4. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the lubricant comprises silica particles.
5. The capsule according to claim 4 , wherein the lubricant comprises spherical particles.
6. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the lubricant comprises particles with a refractive index of about 1.3 to about 1.6.
7. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the lubricant comprises about 5 to about 15 weight percent of the dielectric liquid.
8. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the capsule is utilized in a display member.
9. A display member comprising a plurality of capsules in accordance with claim 1 .
10. A process for generating a capsule, comprising:
encapsulating a rotatable element in a dielectric liquid within the capsule, wherein the rotatable element has at least two surfaces differing from each other in optical and electrical characteristics; and
wherein the dielectric liquid comprises a lubricant the lubricant, comprising spherical particles.
11. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the lubricant minimizes friction between the rotatable element and the capsule to allow the rotatable element to rotate from about 150° to about 190°.
12. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the lubricant comprises particles of about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm in diameter.
13. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the lubricant comprises silica particles.
14. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the lubricant comprises particles with a refractive index of about 1.3 to about 1.6.
15. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the lubricant comprises about 5 to about 15 weight percent of the dielectric liquid.
16. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the capsule has improved optical performance.
17. The process according to claim 10 , wherein the capsule has a contrast ratio greater than about 1.5.
18. A display member comprising a plurality of capsules made in accordance with the process of claim 10 .
19. A display member comprising a layer comprising a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising a rotatable element within a dielectric liquid wherein the dielectric liquid comprises a lubricant dispersed therein, wherein the lubricant comprises spherical particles.
20. The display member according to claim 19 , wherein the lubricant comprises about 5 to about 15 weight percent of the dielectric liquid.
21. The display member according to claim 19 , wherein the rotatable element in the capsule rotates about 150° to about 190° under an external electric field prior to making contact with an inner wall of the capsule.