Light-Absorbing Multilayer Coatings for Solar Transmittance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coatings do not effectively block or filter specific ranges of electromagnetic radiation, leading to inefficiencies in reducing solar energy transmittance and energy load on vehicles or buildings.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer coating system comprising dielectric and metallic layers with an integrated light absorbing layer, which can be positioned between or within these layers, to selectively absorb and transmit desired ranges of electromagnetic radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing coatings are applied to block electromagnetic radiation, then solar energy transmittance is reduced, but the coatings do not effectively block specific ranges of electromagnetic radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic radiation blockingVSAvoideffectiveness in blocking specific ranges

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is divided into multiple functional layers including dielectric layers (SiO2, TiO2), metallic layers (Al, Ag), and light absorbing layers (Cr, Mo, W, Nb, Ta). Each layer is optimized to address specific portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, with dielectric layers providing structural support and optical control, metallic layers providing reflective properties, and light absorbing layers specifically targeting infrared and other radiation ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material structures combining organic and inorganic compounds, metals and metal alloys, and various oxides in specific configurations. These composite structures create synergistic effects that enhance the overall performance in blocking specific electromagnetic radiation ranges while maintaining transparency and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If solar control coatings are applied to reduce solar energy transmittance, then energy load on cooling units is reduced, but the coatings may compromise transparency or durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy transmittance reductionVSAvoidtransparency and durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different layers of the coating are assigned specific functional properties optimized for their particular role. Dielectric layers provide structural integrity and optical control in visible ranges, metallic layers provide thermal reflection, and light absorbing layers specifically target infrared absorption. This localized optimization allows each material to perform its best function without compromising overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coating structure incorporates protective dielectric layers and adhesion promoters that pre-protect the underlying substrate and intermediate layers from environmental degradation, thermal stress, and mechanical damage before exposure to harsh conditions occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 multilayer coating system effectively blocks or filters specific ranges of electromagnetic radiation, reducing solar energy transmittance and energy load, while maintaining transparency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a light absorbing layer which can be positioned between or within these layers, to selectively absorb and transmit desired ranges of electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

solar control coatings are commonly applied to transparent architectural and automotive substrates to reflect and/or absorb light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12571949B2Articles coated with coatings containing light absorption materials

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 VITRO FLAT GLASS LLC

AI summary

A coated article includes a substrate and a coating over at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a first dielectric layer over at least a portion of the substrate; a first metallic layer over at least a portion of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer over at least a portion of the first metallic layer; and an overcoat over at least a portion of the second dielectric layer. A light absorbing layer is between second dielectric layer and the overcoat or is part of the overcoat. The light absorbing layer includes Ge, GeOx, Hf, HfOx, HfO2, NbNx, NbNxOy, SiaAlb, SiaAlbOx, SiaCob, SiaCobOx, SiaCobCuc, SiaCobCucOx, SiaCrb, SiaCrbOx, SiaNib, SiNiOx, SiOx, SnNx, SnOx, SnOxNy, TiNx, TiaNbbNx, TiaNbbOx, TiaNbbOxNy, TiOxNy, WOx, WO2, ZnO:Co, ZnO:Fe, ZnO:Mn, ZnO:Ni, ZnO:V, ZnO:Cr, ZnaSnb, ZnaSnbOx, or any combination thereof.