Gold Timepiece and Jewellery Components with Plasmonic Color Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing gold components with at least 18 carats fail to preserve the color of gold nanoparticles and often result in altered optical properties or insufficient mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the synthesis of Au@metal oxide nanoparticles with a controlled plasmonic effect, followed by a semi-finished product production maintaining color similarity through specific color difference thresholds, and final component formation using pyrolysis and mechanical treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional metallurgical route or sintering method is used to manufacture gold components, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the color of gold nanoparticles is altered and optical properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the color and optical properties of gold nanoparticles by precisely adjusting synthesis parameters including particle size (2-200 nm), shape (spherical, rod-like, cubic), and metal oxide coating thickness. These parameter changes enable tuning of plasmonic resonance to achieve desired colors while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite gold nanoparticles with metal oxide shells (silica, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide) to preserve color and enhance optical properties. The composite structure combines the plasmonic effect of gold with the protective and optical properties of metal oxides, achieving both color preservation and improved performance
2Illumination intensity
If gold nanoparticles are used to achieve specific colors through plasmonic effect, then optical properties are enhanced, but mechanical strength of the component is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds gold nanoparticles within a ceramic matrix or combines them with metal oxides to create composite materials that maintain the optical properties of gold nanoparticles while providing the mechanical strength of ceramic and metal oxide materials. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between optical enhancement and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies metal oxide coatings locally on gold nanoparticle surfaces to provide mechanical reinforcement at the nanoparticle level while preserving the bulk optical properties. The metal oxide shell protects the gold core and enhances overall structural strength without significantly altering the plasmonic effect
3Manufacturing precision
If sintering with microwave radiation is used to maintain nanoparticle color, then color preservation is improved, but the method is not robust and results vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary stabilization of gold nanoparticles with metal oxide shells before final component manufacturing. This preliminary action protects the nanoparticles from aggregation and color change during subsequent processing steps, ensuring consistent results and improved method robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inert atmosphere protection during nanoparticle synthesis and processing to prevent oxidation and contamination that could alter color or reduce reliability. This controlled environment ensures consistent optical properties and improves method robustness across different manufacturing conditions
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
Preserves the color and enhances mechanical properties of gold components, achieving deep black or grey shades with improved durability and optical properties.
Implementation Method 1
The gold nanoparticles (typically ranging in size from 2 to 200 nm) have a plasmonic effect. The plasmonic effect consists of a vibration of the electron cloud of the nanoparticles when they are exposed to an electromagnetic field. More specifically, under the influence of the oscillating electric field of light, the free electrons of a metal nanoparticle undergo oscillations with respect to the metal network. At certain frequencies, that is to say at certain wavelengths, these oscillations acquire a large amplitude through the phenomenon of resonance. This is called plasmon resonance
Implementation Method 2
final component formation using pyrolysis and mechanical treatment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a timepiece or jewellery component from a material comprising at least 18 carats of gold, comprising the following steps:a) producing Au@metal oxide nanoparticles, step a) comprising at least the sub-steps of a1) synthesising gold nanoparticles that have dimensions and shapes giving them a plasmonic effect; aa2) mixing the gold nanoparticles from step a1) with a surfactant comprising functional groups for coupling to the metal oxide, while maintaining a plasmonic effect; a3) forming the metal oxide shell, while maintaining a plasmonic effect;b) producing a semi-finished product from a material comprising at least 18 carats of gold using the Au@metal oxide nanoparticles from step a), while maintaining a plasmonic effect, the semi-finished product having a colour such that the difference ΔE in the CIE Lab colour space between the colour of the obtained semi-finished product and the colour of the Au@metal oxide nanoparticles formed in step a), in the dry state, is less than 10; andc) producing the timepiece or jewellery component from said material comprising at least 18 carats of gold using the semi-finished product obtained in step b), while maintaining a plasmonic effect.The present invention also relates to a timepiece or jewellery component obtained by the manufacturing method as defined above, said timepiece or jewellery component being obtained using a semi-finished product that has a colour defined in the CIE L*a*b space by the parameters −5<a*<5, −5<b*<5 and L*<15.