Multicolored Glass Parts via Nanoparticle Size Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing multicolored glass-based articles, especially chemically strengthened ones, face challenges in achieving consistent coloration and aesthetic appeal while maintaining superior fracture resistance and lightweight properties.
Innovation Solution
A glass-based substrate with regions of varying metallic nanoparticle sizes, created through UV irradiation and heat treatment, allowing for the production of multicolored glass articles with specific hue angles and saturation values, and optionally incorporating a photosensitizer like CeO2 for enhanced color formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to manufacture multicolored glass-based articles, then coloration can be achieved, but consistent coloration and aesthetic appeal are difficult to maintain while preserving fracture resistance and lightweight properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different metallic nanoparticle sizes within the glass substrate. Specifically, first regions contain metallic nanoparticles with a first average particle diameter while second regions contain metallic nanoparticles with a second average particle diameter that is smaller than the first. This spatial variation in nanoparticle size produces different colors in different regions, enabling multicolored patterns with consistent coloration within each region while maintaining overall aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the size distribution of metallic nanoparticles through UV irradiation and heat treatment parameters. By adjusting irradiation intensity, irradiation time, and heat treatment temperature, the patent achieves precise control over nanoparticle size, thereby controlling coloration consistency. The method specifies that the first average particle diameter ranges from 5 nm to 200 nm while the second average particle diameter ranges from 5 nm to 100 nm, with these parameter ranges ensuring both consistent coloration and preservation of glass mechanical properties.
2Reliability
If metallic nanoparticles are introduced to create multicolored regions, then aesthetic appeal is enhanced, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating metallic component and photosensitizer into the glass substrate before forming the final product. The glass substrate is prepared with these additives in advance, and then UV irradiation and heat treatment are applied to generate the metallic nanoparticles in situ. This eliminates the need for separate nanoparticle deposition steps, reducing manufacturing process complexity while still achieving the desired multicolored aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical nanoparticle deposition methods with a photochemical approach. Instead of physically depositing metallic nanoparticles onto the glass surface using complex deposition equipment, the patent uses UV irradiation to trigger photochemical reactions that generate metallic nanoparticles directly within the glass substrate. This substitution of mechanical deposition with photochemical generation significantly simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
3Manufacturing precision
If UV irradiation and heat treatment are used to form metallic nanoparticles, then color control is achieved, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UV irradiation step and heat treatment step into a combined processing sequence that achieves both color control and nanoparticle formation in an integrated manner. The method specifies performing UV irradiation to generate metallic particle nuclei, followed by heat treatment to grow these nuclei into final metallic nanoparticles with controlled sizes. By merging these steps and optimizing their parameters (irradiation intensity, irradiation time, heat treatment temperature, and holding time), the patent achieves precise color control while minimizing the total processing time and maintaining production efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Multicolored glass-based articles and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a glass-based part and exposing a first region to radiation and a second region to radiation such that the first and second regions have different sized metallic nanoparticles, resulting in a multicolored glass article.