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In deze thesis wordt een conceptontwerp geboden voor een product, die gebruik maakt van super e-paper. Super e-paper is een snel type van elektronisch papier met hoge resolutie. Elektronisch papier is een buigzaam beeldscherm, zonder backlighting, die alleen energie nodig heeft om het beeld te veranderen. Het beeld, eenmaal erop gezet, blijft dus op het scherm staan zonder dat er verder energie aan wordt toegevoerd. Het scherm ziet er uit als geplastificeerd papier, maar is elektronisch aangestuurd, vandaar de naam elektronisch papier ofwel e-paper. Dit zorgt ervoor, dat alle voordelen van gewoon papier behouden worden en komt er het voordeel bij dat je met één druk op de knop het beeld op het e-paper scherm kan veranderen. En gebruik makend van de huidige technologieën is het ook draadloos mogelijk. Kortom, het product is een e-paper scherm, waarop, vanaf een pc, via een draadloze verbinding een afbeelding kan worden gezet.

A wireless data transmission system is developed and tested for Super E-paper.

This thesis is based upon the business plan of R:eFlex, which is part of the Bachelor Graduation Project of TU Delft. R:eFlex is a start-company that wants to introduce electronic billboards using Epaper, which is currently under development at DIMES; the ‘Delft Institute of Microelectronics and Sub-micro-technology, affiliated to the TU Delft. In interviews conducted for the business plan with several companies expressed interest in this idea. This report describes a design of an electronic billboard system that can be easily created using super E-paper.

DIMES and the department Computer Engineering from the University of Technology Delft are developing an Electronic Paper Display. This display will have a paper-like appearance (paper-white, wide view angle), and it can retain its display contents even after power down. The E-paper Display will have its own display driver integrated in the display itself. In the future it will be possible to integrate with the E-Paper Display, large and complex digital circuits or even microcontrollers with their peripherals. We are using the Single Grain TFT (SG-TFT) Technology developed at DIMES for the integrated electronics. Using this technology we are able to create high performance transistors out of amorphous silicon film. With these TFTs, a Display Driver is build that will control the QR-LPD E-Paper material from Bridgestone. This E-Paper material has an ultra fast pixel response, which makes it possible to use this E-Paper to view animations. This E-Paper Display will showcase some of the possibilities that the SG-TFT Technology has to offer: 1) Mixed signals, both analog and digital circuits are present in this display; 2) High voltage SG-TFTs (70V) to control the QR-LPD E-Paper material; 3) Flexible Electronics, the possibility to fabricate on plastic substrate and make a fully flexible E-Paper Display, including the integrated electronics.

The main function of the schoolbag today is, transporting study materials. The aesthetics of the bag however, influences the buying behavior of the consumer the most. Current disadvantages of schoolbags are bad ergonomics and low interaction between product and user. In the saturated schoolbag market the main focusses are on better ergonomics and fashionable aesthetics. The future context of 2020, shows a shift in importance of these three aspects. Consumers and their demands change. Trends like tailored designs, self-identity, social interaction and participation in production rise the demands for aesthetics, but even more for interaction. An alternation in the educational system influences the schoolbag. New digitalized study materials reduce the weight of the bag, reducing also the need for ergonomics. A concept design for 2020, called ‘The paper bag’, enables unlimited possibilities for customizing the appearance of the bag. The exterior of the bag is one big, e-paper, display with a touchscreen layer. The interaction is improved by integration of multiple functions, which give the bag more utility and by a two way communication between the product and its user. The exterior functions, amongst others, as a laptop. The appearance of the exterior can be customized like wallpapers on a computer. Wireless connectivity assures social interaction and can be synchronized with other devices like for instance the mobile phone. ‘The paper bag’ uses new techniques and materials which are not yet fully developed or in production. The functioning of the bag will be changed by social and political trends. Therefore it is recommended to keep track of some necessary changes like developments in display techniques, battery efficiency, social media and digitalization of the school system. Introduction of a bag for Thella in 2012, means simplifying and adjusting ‘The paper bag’ to the needs and possibilities of 2012. This bag, called the crocque-au-tile, should match the same goals as ‘The paper bag’; more customizability and better interaction. The crocque-au-tile is a shoulder bag that enables customizing by the use of printable magnets. The owner can express their own identity by text, graphics or pictures. The crocque-au-tile has some features for a specified target group, the fashionista’s; an insulated food compartment and an extra pocket for make-up equipment. Interactive magnets can be made to create more interaction like mirror magnets or phone light magnets. User research shows appreciation for the way of customizing, the food compartment and the interactive magnets. The intended use of the laptop compartment, working instantly on the laptop by just opening the compartment, is also appreciated. The specified target group uses lockers and therefore the shoulder bag can fit the fashionista’s lifestyle. Problems occur however with the appearance. The dislike of the pattern needs more research before it can be solved. Color issues can be solved by providing the bag in several color-combinations. The bag can be introduced to the market if these problems are solved. The financial evaluation shows just a small revenue per bag. Thella has no experience in producing bags and has no clientèle or image yet. This makes it a very high risk to enter a saturated market, especially for only small margins. A partnership with an experienced, high end, fashion brand, like Bjorn Borg or Converse, would be the best way to get this bag on the market.

With the so many available sorts of E-paper, the optimal performing and consumer friendly E-paper needs to be found in order to win the E-paper market. As result of this, researchers from the TU Delft are currently developing a technology that can replace all ordinary papers by one single device, which has outperforming characteristics compared to the current E-papers: Super E-paper. In order to launch this superior product, a research needs to be conducted with regards to the optimum driving method of the Super E-paper. This thesis shall not only investigate what the optimum driving method of the Super E-paper is, by applying different types of power to the product. But also describe our steps towards this measurement by sharing background knowledge, linking theory to practice, designing the source that will be used for our Super E-paper measurements. For the measurements, several variables are analysed: · Voltage amplitude · Frequency of the source · Duty cycle of the source