Water-Based Ink Set Using ATO Particles for Infrared Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared absorptive inks for ink-jet recording face challenges with controlling color tones in the visible range and high costs due to the use of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) powder, which is also not compatible with water-based inks and ink-jet recording methods.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink set utilizing antimony-tin composite oxide fine particles (ATO fine particles) that absorb electromagnetic waves in the near-infrared range but have minimal visible light absorption, allowing for the creation of secure, visually unreadable code marks without the need for expensive ITO powder and enabling compatibility with water-based ink-jet recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ITO powder is used as infrared absorbing agent, then infrared absorptivity is improved, but cost increases and compatibility with water-based inks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from ITO powder to ATO fine particles, which have different optical and chemical properties. ATO particles maintain infrared absorption capability while being compatible with water-based ink systems, resolving the contradiction between infrared performance and water-based compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite oxide material (antimony-tin composite oxide) that combines the benefits of both tin oxide and antimony oxide, achieving infrared absorption properties similar to ITO while maintaining compatibility with water-based inks and reducing cost
2Reliability
If ITO powder is used as infrared absorbing agent, then infrared absorptivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive ITO powder with cheaper ATO fine particles that provide equivalent infrared absorption functionality. This substitution significantly reduces material cost while maintaining the required performance level for security marking applications
3Reliability
If organic-based coloring agents are used, then infrared absorptivity is improved, but color tone control in visible range becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by using ATO fine particles that specifically target infrared wavelength range without affecting visible light transmission. This allows the ink to have different optical properties at different wavelength ranges: high infrared absorption from ATO particles and controlled visible color from separate coloring agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink system combining ATO fine particles for infrared absorption with separate organic coloring agents for visible color. This composite approach allows independent optimization of infrared performance and visible color tone, resolving the contradiction between the two requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of ATO fine particles in the water-based ink set ensures effective infrared absorptivity while maintaining transparency and preventing nozzle clogging, enhancing the security of recorded objects through spectroscopic evaluation and maintaining transparency in recording media.
Implementation Method 1
antimony-tin composite oxide fine particles (hereinafter, 'ATO fine particles') that are less expensive than the ITO powder, absorb little visible light, and absorb electromagnetic waves in the near-infrared range
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink set for ink-jet recording includes: the infrared absorptive ink that contains the antimony-tin composite oxide fine particles and water; and the color ink that contains the coloring agent and water. The water-based ink set for ink-jet recording is applicable to an ink-jet recording method for recording an image by ejecting the inks onto a recording medium to cause the inks to adhere to the recording medium. When an image having infrared absorptivity is recorded, at least the infrared absorptive ink is ejected onto a recording medium to cause the infrared absorptive ink to adhere to the recording medium.