Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-01011, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Leach, Gary (Simon Fraser University), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : British Columbia|Colombie-Britannique, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : CLEARink Displays Corporation is a Vancouver technology start-up developing new display technology. Their_x000D_
technology is an alternative to liquid crystal displays and organic light emitting diodes which operate with_x000D_
significant power consumption. CLEARink has developed a novel reflective display technology that offers_x000D_
video rate capability with ultra-low power consumption. Their technology is based on the use of charged_x000D_
particles in a fluid to control the reflectivity of ambient light from its novel reflector films. When charged_x000D_
particles are in the vicinity of the reflector film, reflectivity is hindered, providing image contrast. Control over_x000D_
of the charged particle location is achieved by applying small voltages to thin conductor and dielectric layers in_x000D_
the display device stack. Fine control of particle location and mobility in response to the applied fields is_x000D_
critical for display performance, but can be affected by the properties of the conductor and dielectric layers._x000D_
CLEARink is seeking to further optimize this control in order to improve contrast, and device response time._x000D_
Here, we propose to address these issues by examining the materials properties of the dielectric thin films and_x000D_
their connection to display performance. The fabrication and characterization capabilities available at SFU's 4D_x000D_
LABS in conjunction with our expertise in surface science and materials chemistry make this new partnership_x000D_
with CLEARink ideal. Using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, the_x000D_
quality of dielectric layers will be assessed in relation to device performance. Working closely with CLEARink_x000D_
technical staff, we will also investigate device performance with dielectric films deposited by different_x000D_
methods, and where dielectric films have been further modified through additional barrier layers deposited by_x000D_
physical and chemical methods. The expected outcomes of this project are to provide CLEARink with_x000D_
improved control over their display characteristics and to accelerate their path to commercial production. This_x000D_
will provide broader benefits to Canada through enhanced employment opportunities, wealth generation, and_x000D_
pave the way for further high technology development opportunities., program purpose french : CLEARink Displays Corporation is a Vancouver technology start-up developing new display technology. Their_x000D_
technology is an alternative to liquid crystal displays and organic light emitting diodes which operate with_x000D_
significant power consumption. CLEARink has developed a novel reflective display technology that offers_x000D_
video rate capability with ultra-low power consumption. Their technology is based on the use of charged_x000D_
particles in a fluid to control the reflectivity of ambient light from its novel reflector films. When charged_x000D_
particles are in the vicinity of the reflector film, reflectivity is hindered, providing image contrast. Control over_x000D_
of the charged particle location is achieved by applying small voltages to thin conductor and dielectric layers in_x000D_
the display device stack. Fine control of particle location and mobility in response to the applied fields is_x000D_
critical for display performance, but can be affected by the properties of the conductor and dielectric layers._x000D_
CLEARink is seeking to further optimize this control in order to improve contrast, and device response time._x000D_
Here, we propose to address these issues by examining the materials properties of the dielectric thin films and_x000D_
their connection to display performance. The fabrication and characterization capabilities available at SFU's 4D_x000D_
LABS in conjunction with our expertise in surface science and materials chemistry make this new partnership_x000D_
with CLEARink ideal. Using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, the_x000D_
quality of dielectric layers will be assessed in relation to device performance. Working closely with CLEARink_x000D_
technical staff, we will also investigate device performance with dielectric films deposited by different_x000D_
methods, and where dielectric films have been further modified through additional barrier layers deposited by_x000D_
physical and chemical methods. The expected outcomes of this project are to provide CLEARink with_x000D_
improved control over their display characteristics and to accelerate their path to commercial production. This_x000D_
will provide broader benefits to Canada through enhanced employment opportunities, wealth generation, and_x000D_
pave the way for further high technology development opportunities., agreement title english : Dielectric layer structure and performance, agreement title french : Dielectric layer structure and performance, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada