High‐Performance Electrochromic Optical Shutter Based on Fluoran Dye for Visibility Enhancement of Augmented Reality Display

Abstract

In this paper, a high‐performance electrochromic optical shutter (ECOS) based on fluoran dye and an augmented reality (AR) display system comprising of ECOS are proposed. The electrochromic reactions of the fluoran dye that transmit or absorb visible light depending on its redox state are activated by the protons generated from hydroquinone derivatives, thereby significantly improved visible light absorption and decreased driving voltage. The visible light‐absorbing function of ECOS is a sole solution for overcoming the main issue of low visibility of displayed images under strong ambient light conditions in optical see‐through head‐mounted displays (OST‐HMDs) implementing augmented reality. The proposed AR display effectively solves the problem by significantly increasing the ambient contrast ratio and color gamut of the displayed image on OST‐HMD even in the strong ambient light condition due to the excellent visible light‐absorbing function of ECOS.

Green revolution in electronic displays expected to ease energy and health crises

“…A demo device of an EC optical shutter (ECOS) was designed and demonstrated by utilizing a fluoran dye, as well as a hydroquinone derivative. It shows outstanding performance with a very high transmittance in its bleached state (82.8% at 550 nm), a low transmittance in its colored state (0.1% at 550 nm), a response time of 1.4 s, and excellent operational stability 71 . An augmented reality display system comprising the ECOS was also fabricated by the authors, which exhibits significantly improved visibility of the displayed image even under strong ambient light conditions due to the excellent visible-light-absorbing function of the ECOS (Fig.…”

“…e Mechanism of an ECD regulating the ambient light contrast ratio in an AR system 71 . (f) Color gamut and display images of the AR system with the ECD off and on according to different ambient lighting conditions in an office (400 lx), in shade (5000 lx), on a cloudy day (10000 lx), and on a sunny day (15 000 lx) 71 known acid-base dyes is always a challenge 72 . As photobleaching/oxidative degradation is highly correlated with UV and oxygen (O 2 ) exposure, it can possibly be solved by exploring better sealing and packaging materials to avoid O 2 and UV damage.…”

Multicolor and Multistage Response Electrochromic Color-Memory Wearable Smart Textile and Flexible Display

“…In addition, fluoran dyes, widespread chromogenic substances, are applied to color-memory materials due to the abundant color options, good responses, and reversibility. The chromogenic behavior of fluoran dyes arises from redox reaction-linked electron transfer. , Recently, energy-efficient electronic billboards maintaining the memorization of color for 1 h based on an intermolecular proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism between the fluoran dye and electroacid has been reported in a previous study . In a follow-up study, a new fluoran dye containing p -phenylenediamine was synthesized and applied in electrochromic materials based on the intramolecular proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism, which could retain the memory for at least 52 h …”

Electrochromic graduated filters with symmetric electrode configuration

“…This change in transmission relies on the different redox states of the EC materials and a potential-induced redox reaction. Previously, the tunable EC absorption has been used to enhance visibility of an augmented reality display in different lighting conditions [5].…”