Conductive Core Pigments with Dielectric Shell for Short Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pigments that combine high color strength and optically variable properties with electromagnetic field responsiveness face challenges in achieving these properties without causing short circuits, especially at higher concentrations, and often require compromises in optical or functional properties.
Innovation Solution
Development of platelet-shaped transparent or semi-transparent electrically conductive core pigments with a surrounding coloring dielectric layer, where the electrically conductive core is completely encased by a dielectric layer to prevent percolation and ensure intrinsic conductivity, allowing for strong color and optical variability while responding to electromagnetic fields without short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically conductive pigments are used to achieve electromagnetic field responsiveness, then detection capability in electromagnetic fields is improved, but short circuits occur at higher concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the electrically conductive core particles. This dielectric coating prevents direct contact between conductive cores, eliminating short circuit pathways while preserving the electromagnetic field detection capability of the cores. The dielectric material acts as a mediator that maintains electrical isolation between particles even at high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin dielectric film or shell is formed around each electrically conductive core. This shell provides electrical insulation while maintaining the particle's electromagnetic responsiveness. The flexible coating approach allows the conductive core to retain its functional properties while being protected from creating conductive pathways with neighboring particles.
2Reliability
If pigment concentration is increased to improve security feature visibility, then detection signal strength is improved, but viscosity requirements cannot be met and pigments overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric coating forms a flexible shell around each pigment particle that prevents aggregation and overlap. This shell maintains particle dispersion even at higher concentrations, allowing sufficient detection signal strength while preserving the application medium's workability and viscosity characteristics.
3Illumination intensity
If color strength and optical variability are enhanced through multi-layer coatings, then coloring properties are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pigment structure uses composite material construction with a conductive core and dielectric coating layers. This composite approach allows the coloring properties to be determined by the dielectric layer composition and thickness, while the conductive core provides electromagnetic functionality. The standardized core structure simplifies manufacturing by providing a consistent substrate for coating processes.
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 pigments achieve high color strength and optically variable behavior while maintaining intrinsic electrical conductivity, preventing short circuits even at higher concentrations and enabling detection in electromagnetic fields, suitable for various applications including security features.
Implementation Method 1
whose color is essentially achieved through interference effects
Implementation Method 2
must, for example, cause a deflection of the field lines of an alternating electric field
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to intensely colored and/or optically variable pigments which comprise a platelet-shaped transparent or semitransparent electrically conductive core and at least one chromophore dielectric layer covering the core. The invention also relates to a method for producing said pigments and to the use of the pigments.