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Inkjet-Printed Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Pixels with Frequency-Addressable Optical Memory for Energy-Efficient
Jun-Seok Ma1,2, Dongryul Lee3, Hyun-Woo Oh1
1Department of Electrical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Inkjet-printed cholesteric liquid crystal pixels offer energy-efficient optical memory. This frequency-addressable technology enables tristable states for displays and smart windows without continuous power.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photonics
- Display Technology
Background:
- Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) offer unique optical properties but require scalable manufacturing for practical applications.
- Existing display technologies often demand continuous power for memory states, limiting energy efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a manufacturable pixel architecture for frequency-addressable tristable optical memory using inkjet printing.
- To demonstrate energy-efficient reflective modulation with nonvolatile optical memory capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing drop-on-demand inkjet printing to create individually programmable CLC droplets.
- Employing frequency-selective electrical fields to induce tristability via competing electrohydrodynamic and dielectric effects.
Main Results:
- Achieved individually programmable CLC pixels with three distinct optical states: transparent colored, opaque concealment, and opaque memory.
- Demonstrated nonvolatile optical memory with field-off retention, eliminating continuous power requirements.
- Fabricated printed arrays with 63.5 dpi resolution and uniform switching over large areas (8.5 × 8.5 cm²).
Conclusions:
- Inkjet-defined CLC pixels provide a scalable, mask-free platform for frequency-addressable tristable optical memory.
- This technology enables energy-efficient reflective modulation for applications like smart windows and reflective displays.
- The integration of structural coloration, transmittance modulation, and nonvolatile memory offers a practical pathway for programmable photonic surfaces.
