CuO LiDAR-Reflective Material for Dark Surface Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods and materials fail to effectively mark dark-colored surfaces for LiDAR detection while maintaining a dark appearance, as common dark pigments absorb near-IR and LiDAR radiation, making them unsuitable for applications where LiDAR detection is desired but not visible markings are needed.
Innovation Solution
Development of a dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material with a reflectivity of ≤10% in the visible spectrum and ≥10% in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum, using CuO crystallites with a specific (−111)/(111) ratio and controlled particle size to achieve high LiDAR reflectivity without altering the dark color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If dark-colored pigments are used to mark surfaces, then the surface maintains a dark appearance, but LiDAR detection capability deteriorates because dark pigments absorb near-IR and LiDAR radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to the same material. The marking material is engineered to have high reflectivity specifically in the near-IR and LiDAR wavelength ranges while maintaining dark appearance in the visible spectrum, creating spectrally-selective local quality that resolves the contradiction between dark appearance and LiDAR detectability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the marking material by controlling particle size (1-10 micrometers) and crystal structure ((-111)/(111) ratio) of CuO crystallites. These parameter changes enable the material to reflect LiDAR radiation while absorbing visible light, simultaneously achieving dark appearance and LiDAR detection capability
2Reliability
If light-colored LiDAR-reflective materials are used to enhance LiDAR detection, then LiDAR detectability improves, but the surface loses its dark appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The marking material exhibits spectrally-selective properties where it appears dark to the human eye but reflects LiDAR radiation effectively. This local quality differentiation across the electromagnetic spectrum allows the material to satisfy both contradictory requirements: maintaining dark appearance while enhancing LiDAR detectability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the color-changing properties of CuO crystallites that appear black in visible light but have high reflectivity in the near-IR region. This color change across different spectral regions enables the material to function as both a dark cosmetic finish and an effective LiDAR reflective marker
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 solution provides enhanced LiDAR detectability of dark surfaces while preserving their aesthetic, enabling accurate detection by LiDAR systems without visible markings, suitable for applications like autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Implementation Method 1
the LiDAR-reflective material comprises a reflectivity in the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≤10%; and a reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≥10%
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed here are a method of marking a dark-colored surface with a dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material and a marking composition comprising the dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material and a marking carrier. Particularly, the dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material comprises has a reflectivity in the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≤10% and a reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≥10%.