ELECTROWETTING ELEMENT

摘要

The present invention is directed to an electrowetting element comprising a first electrode layer having a hydrophobic surface and a second electrode layer opposite said hydrophobic surface, a containment space formed between said first and said second electrode layer, and pixel walls mounted on said hydrophobic surface for forming at least one pixel element in said containment space between said pixel walls. The containment space and said at least one pixel element formed therein comprise at least one polar liquid having a first conductivity and at least one non-polar liquid having a second conductivity. The polar and non-polar liquid are immiscible with each other. Said electrowetting element further comprises powering means for controllably powering said first and second electrode layers for rearranging said polar liquid relative to said non-polar liquid for switching said at least one pixel element between an optically transmissive and optically non-transmissive state. In accordance with the invention, said hydrophobic surface has a surface tension such that said hydrophobic surface is oleophilic, and that porosity of said hydrophobic surface is such as to prevent penetration of said polar liquid into said hydrophobic surface.