Multi-layer Color Imaging Substrate with Diacetylene and Leuco Dyes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diacetylenes are limited in their ability to produce full-color imaging as they typically cannot display yellow, orange, and green shades, preventing true full-color imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate with at least two color-change agents, where a diacetylene compound forms blue and red colors, and a thermal acid generator with a yellow leuco dye forms additional colors like yellow, cyan, magenta, and green, allowing for independent activation and stable color formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single diacetylene compound is used for color imaging, then blue and red colors can be produced through UV exposure and heating, but yellow, orange, and green shades cannot be achieved, preventing true full-color imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple independent color-forming layers: a first layer containing diacetylene compound for blue/red colors, a second layer containing yellow leuco dye with thermal acid generator for yellow color, and optionally a third layer with cyan leuco dye for cyan color. Each layer can be independently activated to produce its specific color range, and their combinations enable full-color imaging capability that a single diacetylene compound cannot achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different color-forming materials with complementary properties into a composite multi-layer structure. The diacetylene compound (providing blue/red through polymerization and trans-cis isomerization) is combined with leuco dyes and thermal acid generators (providing yellow/cyan through acid-base reactions). This composite approach allows the system to achieve full-color imaging by integrating the strengths of different material systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple color-change agents are used to achieve full-color imaging, then yellow, cyan, magenta, and green shades become available, but the system complexity increases with multiple layers and independent activation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic, selective activation of different layers based on the desired color output. The diacetylene layer can be activated by UV exposure for blue color or by heating for red color, while the yellow leuco dye layer requires heating above its melting point to release acid and form yellow color. The cyan layer similarly requires heating. This dynamic activation allows flexible control over which colors are produced and when, enabling full-color imaging while maintaining operational flexibility.
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
Enables the creation of full-color images by combining diacetylene compounds with thermal acid generators and leuco dyes, achieving stable and diverse color production, including previously unattainable shades like green.
Implementation Method 1
when exposed to UV light, a diacetylene initially gives rise to a blue coloured polydiacetylene. Heating the blue polydiacetylene induces thermal perturbations into the polydiacetylene backbone that converts it into a red coloured form.
Implementation Method 2
the other colour-forming layer comprises a specific thermal acid generator (TAG) in combination with a yellow leuco dye
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming an image on a substrate by applying energy, involves a substrate in or on which there are at least two different colour-change agents, i.e. a first colour-change agent capable of giving rise to at least two different colours; and a second colour-change agent capable of giving rise to at least one different colour than achievable with the first colour change agent. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-layer laminate comprising, in order, a layer comprising the first agent, a barrier layer, and a layer comprising the second agent.