Fabrication of a twisting ball display having two or more different

Abstract

A method of making a substrate in which sets of optically anisotropic spheroidal balls are disposed, as for use in an electrical twisting ball display. First and second sets of spheroidal balls, are deposited on a receiving surface composed of an elastomer substrate material in an adhesive state, the spheroidal balls thus deposited adhering to the receiving surface. Balls of the first and second sets are physically distinguishable from one another. Balls of the first set can be deposited in a first arrangement, and balls of the second set, in a second arrangement. Each ball of each set has an optical anisotropy and an anisotropy for providing an electrical dipole moment, the electrical dipole moment rendering the ball electrically responsive such that when the ball is rotatably disposed in an electric field while the electrical dipole moment of the ball is provided, the ball tends to rotate to an orientation in which the electrical dipole moment aligns with the field. With the balls thus deposited, additional, liquid elastomer material is poured over the balls adhering to the receiving surface, thereby covering the balls and forming an uncured substrate material in which the balls are disposed. This uncured substrate material is cured to form a substrate in which balls of the first and second sets are disposed. A plasticizer fluid can be applied to the substrate thus formed, thereby expanding the substrate so as to render the balls disposed in the substrate rotatable within the substrate.