So how does Eink achieve that paper like look on an electronic screen?

Electronic Ink refers to the screens in the devices we know and love. That high contrast, non refreshing screen that gives your eyes a well earned rest after staring at a computer screen all day.

The main components are tiny micro capsules, the thickness of a human hair. These capsules contain positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles. When an electric current is applied the white particles move to the top and the black particles to the bottom. When reversed the black particles move to that top and the white to the bottom.

To create an actual screen that can be used in an ebook reader the ink is printed into a sheet of glass or plastic that is then laminated to a layer of circuits which can then control what appears on the screen.

Whats really interesting about eink technology is that it can be applied to almost any surface – even flexible plastic, and retain its display properties. Future incarnations promise colour and faster  refreshing and higher contrast displays.

Anyway, a pictures worth a thousand words so check out this video from the museum of science in Boston to see the techie bits on action.