| abstract |
The invention relates to an electrowetting-on-dielectric device ( 200 ). This is an electro wetting device comprising one or more cells, wherein each cell comprises an electrowetting composition of first and second immiscible fluids, the first fluid being an electrolytic solution ( 240 ), a first electrode ( 230 ), separated from the electrowetting composition by a dielectric ( 231 ), and a voltage source ( 260 ) for applying an operating voltage difference between the first electrode ( 230 ) and the electrolytic solution to operate the electrowetting device. According to the invention, the first electrode ( 230 ) of the electrowetting-on-dielectric device ( 200 ) comprises a valve metal, and the electrolytic solution ( 240 ) is capable of anodizing the valve metal to form a metal oxide at the operating voltage difference. This provides the electrowetting-on-dielectric device ( 200 ) with self-repairing properties thereby preventing breakdown of the dielectric. As a result, the electrowetting device can be operated at a low voltage, and it has an improved reliability. |