A Multicolor Electrochromic Device Enabled by Shared-Zn Energy Routing for Self-Powered Wearable Displays
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Updated: Nov 12, 2026

An Electrochemical Cholesteric Liquid Crystalline Device for Quick and Low-Voltage Color Modulation
Published on: February 27, 2019
Yaowu Li1,2, Zhenyong Wang2, Haifeng Tu1,2
1School of Nano-Tech and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230000, China.
Abstract:
Wearable displays remain constrained by high energy consumption and a heavy reliance on external power during repeated refreshing. Here, we develop a multicolor electrochromic device based on shared-Zn energy routing for self-powered wearable displays. An intermediate Zn mesh couples an upper W/WO3 display electrode with a lower MnO2 energy-storage electrode, enabling self-driven coloration and internally powered bleaching through separate electrochemical circuits. The upper Nylon-66/W/WO3 optical cavity determines the visible color and optically shields the underlying storage electrode, decoupling display color from energy-storage chemistry. The device achieves coloration and bleaching within 10 s and sustains at least 500 consecutive refresh cycles. Integration with a microcontroller and heart-rate sensor demonstrates its potential for wearable physiological monitoring. This compact architecture combines display refreshing, optical memory, and electrical energy output, providing a route toward self-powered wearable displays with integrated sensing and energy functions.
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