Nanoparticle Layer Stack Coating for Decorative Pigment Optics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative pigments require multiple deposition stages under vacuum, which are costly and time-consuming, and lack efficient methods to achieve desired color travel, hiding, and flop without metallic layers.
Innovation Solution
A stack of layers comprising low and high refractive index layers, incorporating a carrier and nanoparticles, is deposited using a single liquid coating process, eliminating the need for vacuum deposition and allowing for desired optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum deposition techniques are used to manufacture special effect pigments, then the desired optical properties (color travel, hiding, flop) can be achieved, but the production cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deposition method from vacuum deposition to liquid coating process, and changes the material form from metallic layers to nanoparticle suspensions. This parameter change allows achieving similar optical properties through a simpler, more efficient liquid coating process that can be applied in a single stage without vacuum equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating nanoparticles (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide) suspended in a liquid carrier medium. This composite approach allows the liquid coating to provide both the optical interference effects and the pigment properties, eliminating the need for complex vacuum deposition of multiple metallic layers
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple stages with different deposition techniques are used, then materials with specific properties can be deposited, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple deposition operations into a single liquid coating process. Instead of using different vacuum deposition techniques for different layers, the invention combines all material deposition into one liquid coating application step, where the nanoparticle suspension is applied and dried to form the complete multi-layer structure with controlled optical properties
3Reliability
If metallic layers are used for absorption, then light trapping can be achieved, but the process requires vacuum deposition and increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex vacuum-deposited metallic absorption layers with a simple liquid coating containing nanoparticle absorbers. The liquid coating with organic or inorganic nanoparticles provides sufficient light absorption and trapping capabilities at a fraction of the cost and manufacturing complexity, using materials that can be applied through conventional liquid coating equipment
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
This method reduces manufacturing costs and time while achieving desired color travel, hiding, and flop in decorative pigments, using a single deposition technique.
Implementation Method 1
Thin film interference structures can include an absorber layer... The absorber layer traps light in an optical cavity in order to leverage the interference effect
Implementation Method 2
Quarter wave (QW) stacks are thin film interference designs of layers of high refractive (H) index material and low refractive (L) index material
Implementation Method 3
at least one layer of the stack includes a composition comprising a carrier and at least one nanoparticle chosen from organic nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles
Implementation Method 4
The absorber layer traps light in an optical cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An article including a stack of layers of low refractive index layers and high refractive index layers, wherein the stack includes at least one low refractive index layer and at least two high refractive index layers; wherein at least one layer of the stack includes a composition comprising a carrier and at least one nanoparticle chosen from organic nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles is disclosed. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of making the article.