Abstract

AbstractConventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films have been successful as electrically‐switchable screens for privacy applications. However, spatial patterning of the films so as to generate a visually appealing design, logo, or image typically requires intricate fabrication processes, such as the use of prefabricated photomasks that do not allow for on‐demand designs. Herein is reported on the fabrication and characterization of spatially patterned PDLC “pixels” using drop‐on‐demand inkjet printing, and it is demonstrated how these materials can be used to form a new generation of smart windows that consist of embedded images or company logos, which can be made to disappear with the application of a voltage. Following refinements to the material rheology and the subsequent successful deposition of individual PDLC droplets, arrays of PDLC pixels are printed at a resolution of 250 pixels per inch with an individual pixel size of 130 µm operating at an electric field strength (E) of E = 1.4 V μm−1. Finally, using the approach developed herein, these printed PDLC pixels are arranged to form a college emblem that is embedded within a smart window that can be made to disappear with the application of a voltage.

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