Infrared-Absorbing Marking Composition for Invisible Textile Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security marking technologies using photochromic or fluorophoric substances are unsuitable for textiles due to visibility issues under intense sunlight and self-absorption problems on dark-colored substrates, and infrared-absorbing materials fail to provide sufficient contrast on diverse backgrounds, making them inadequate for protecting high-value textiles.
Innovation Solution
A marking composition combining particulate infrared absorbers and carbon derivatives, which are mixed in a finely dispersed form and applied as a transparent, unnoticeable coating, emitting enhanced synergistic effects in the far infrared range when stimulated with near infrared light, allowing for detection and decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photochromic or fluorophoric substances are used for security markings, then the markings become detectable under specific light conditions, but they become visible under intense sunlight or show self-absorption on dark substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs materials that exhibit wavelength-specific optical responses: they are invisible in the visible spectrum but detectable in the infrared spectrum. This spectral transformation allows the marking to be undetectable under normal lighting conditions while being reliably detectable using infrared imaging, resolving the contradiction between detectability and invisibility under various lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the detection problem from the visible spectrum to the infrared spectrum, effectively adding a new dimensional aspect to detection. By using materials that respond to infrared radiation rather than visible light, the marking becomes detectable through a different spectral dimension, avoiding the limitations of visible light detection under sunlight or on dark substrates.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared-absorbing materials are used for security markings, then the markings are invisible in the visible range, but they fail to provide sufficient contrast on diverse backgrounds in the near infrared range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses materials with distinct spectral absorption characteristics that create strong contrast in the infrared spectrum regardless of the substrate's visible color. The marking materials absorb or emit infrared radiation in a manner that produces high-contrast images in infrared imaging, making the markings clearly detectable on diverse backgrounds including those that appear dark or absorbent in the visible range.
3Reliability
If fluorescent materials are used for security markings, then the markings can be detected under specific irradiation, but they are unstable when exposed to ultraviolet light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs materials that respond to infrared radiation rather than ultraviolet or visible light irradiation. This wavelength selection avoids the degradation issues associated with UV exposure while maintaining reliable detectability. The marking materials are stable under normal lighting conditions including UV exposure, yet produce strong detectable signals when irradiated with infrared light.
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 visually invisible yet detectable security markings on textiles, overcoming visibility issues and achieving optimal contrast across various backgrounds, enhancing protection against counterfeiting and ensuring reliable decoding.
Implementation Method 1
A marking composition combining particulate infrared absorbers and carbon derivatives, which are mixed in a finely dispersed form and applied as a transparent, unnoticeable coating, emitting enhanced synergistic effects in the far infrared range when stimulated with near infrared light
Implementation Method 2
emitting enhanced synergistic effects in the far infrared range when stimulated with near infrared light
Implementation Method 3
particulate infrared absorbers and carbon derivatives, which are mixed in a finely dispersed form and applied as a transparent, unnoticeable coating
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a marking composition, by means of which better protection of goods than hitherto available can be achieved independently of the coloring of the goods. The marking composition comprises an infrared-absorbing particulate component and carbon derivative, wherein the weight ratio of infrared-absorbing component to carbon derivative is in the range of approx. 10:1 to approx. 10,000:1.