UniPixel™ research and development has yielded many unexpected positives. One of the most significant is the consolidation of several architectural elements into the thin film that comprises the Micro-Electrical Mechanical System (MEMS) shutter. Over time, we expect the architecture to reside primarily in the Opcuity Active Layer. This will further simplify the system and increase its performance superiority.

The UniPixel™ TMOS system is a MEMS implementation of an Optical Shutter. In operation, it moves the Opcuity Active Layer thin film in and out of contact with the light guide. When the rapidly oscillating shutter membrane comes in contact with the guide, internally reflected light escapes in short bursts. The shutter’s oscillation is electronically controlled using ‘Coulomb’ attraction within the variable capacitor structure. The duration of contact with the guide and the number of contacts control color and gray scale generation.

Proprietary micro optic structures represent one of the most unique and important aspects of the Opcuity Active Layer Film. These structures manage light; provide the coupling interface with the light guide, and control the direction/angle of light emitted toward viewers. They also increase contrast. More than any other feature, they make UniPixel™’s TMOS simply superior.

The Opcuity Active Layer also contains the conductor that forms one half of the shutter’s capacitor. Future implementations will contain both conductive planes and form the entire capacitor structure. When that happens, the Opcuity Active Layer “fabric” itself will become the display.