The presently disclosed subject matter relates to electromechanical systems and devices, and more particularly to electromechanical systems for implementing reflective devices for displays, sensors, and authentication solutions. In some embodiments a reflective device includes a thin film transistor layer and a plurality of reflective elements positioned approximately parallel to the thin film transistor layer. The plurality of reflective elements is electrically coupled with the thin film transistor layer. Each reflective element is configured for controlling a reflectance parameter of the reflective element based on a first voltage applied to the reflective element by the thin film transistor. In other embodiments, a reflective element includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of polymer-air pair layers positioned approximately parallel position to the transparent substrate. The plurality of polymer-air pair layers are configured to vary a reflectance parameter based on a force applied to the plurality of polymer-air pair layers.

A display device includes a scanned projector for projecting a beam of light, and a diffraction grating for dispersing the light at a plurality of angles into a waveguide, wherein at least a portion of the diffraction grating includes a nanovoided polymer. Manipulation of the nanovoid topology, such as through capacitive actuation, can be used to reversibly control the effective refractive index of the nanovoided polymer and hence the grating efficiency. The switchable grating can be used to control the amount of diffraction of an incident beam of light through the grating thereby decreasing optical loss. Various other methods, systems, apparatuses, and materials are also disclosed.

In some examples, a device includes a nanovoided polymer element, a planarization layer disposed on a surface of the nanovoided polymer element, a first electrode disposed on the planarization layer, and a second electrode. The nanovoided polymer element may be located at least in part between the first electrode and the second electrode. The planarization layer may be located between the nanovoided polymer element and the first electrode.

The present disclosure discloses a dimming mirror and a manufacturing method thereof, and a dimming apparatus. The dimming mirror includes a dimming layer including a plurality of dimming units. Each of the dimming units includes a first driving structure and a second driving structure opposite to each other, and an elastic supporting structure disposed between the first driving structure and the second driving structure. The first and second driving structures and the elastic supporting structure enclose a dimming chamber. The first and second driving structures are configured to adjust a dimming angle of the dimming unit by adjusting a gap width of the dimming chamber, such that a response wavelength of the dimming mirror is adjusted. The present disclosure facilitates the improvement of the flexibility of the dimming mirror.

An apparatus includes a photoelastic modulator (PEM) optical element including a first driving axis and a second driving axis arranged at a selected angle with respect to each other and perpendicular to an optical axis, wherein the first driving axis and the second driving axis extend respective predetermined non-equal lengths that correspond to respective predetermined non-equal natural first and second PEM frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2. Methods of manufacture and operation are also disclosed.

This disclosure discloses a display panel, a method for driving the same, and a display device. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite each other, and a plurality of pixel elements located between the first substrate and the second substrate, where each of the plurality of pixel elements includes a photonic crystal light-modulating structure. The photonic crystal light-modulating structure can be configured to adjust an intensity of light emitted from the pixel element, so as to take the place of a liquid crystal layer in the prior art.

A transparent optical element includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, an electroactive layer disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, and a control system operably coupled to at least one of the primary electrode and the secondary electrode and adapted to provide a drive signal to actuate the electroactive layer within an aperture of the transparent optical element.

The invention provides an elastomeric optical device having a first optical state and a second optical state. The device is transparent when in the first optical state and is translucent or opaque when in the second optical state. The device comprises, in sequence, an optional substrate, a first transparent electrode, an optional dielectric layer, an elastomer layer, and a second transparent electrode. In some embodiments, the second transparent electrode comprises an electrically-conductive polymer, transparent electrically-conductive nanoparticles, or both. In such embodiments, the second transparent electrode is configured to compress the elastomer layer in response to an electric field between the first and second transparent electrodes, such that when the elastomeric optical device is in the second optical state the elastomer layer is compressed between the first and second transparent electrodes. One or both of the elastomer layer and the second transparent electrode has one or more non-uniformity features.

A method and system are disclosed for generating a dynamic and responsive color media. The method includes encapsulating nanomaterials within a capsule to form encapsulated photonic crystals; and dispersing the encapsulated photonic crystals within a film or substrate, wherein the encapsulated nanomaterials retain a liquid dispersion state and can move freely within the capsule and the capsules containing photonic crystals remain stationary within the film or substrate.

The invention provides an elastomeric optical device having a first optical state and a second optical state. The device is transparent when in the first optical state and translucent or opaque when in the second optical state. The device comprises, in sequence, a first transparent electrode, a dielectric layer, an elastomer layer, and a second transparent electrode. The elastomer layer preferably has certain mechanical properties, such as a Shore OOO hardness of less than 15, and/or certain chemical properties, such as being substantially devoid of unreacted sites. The second transparent electrode is configured to compress the elastomer layer in response to an electric field between the first and second transparent electrodes, such that when the elastomeric optical device is in the second optical state, the elastomer layer is compressed between the first and second transparent electrodes. Methods of operating an elastomeric optical device are also provided.