Photo Responsive Material for Optical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photochromic materials have low UV sensitivity, slow recovery to transparency, high melting points, and poor solubility, making them difficult to process and use in applications like color transition lenses and smart windows.
Innovation Solution
A novel photo responsive material with a specific chemical structure, synthesized through a series of reactions involving halogenated aldehydes, esters, and alkynes, which is incorporated into a liquid-crystal material for use between transparent substrates, enabling rapid and reversible color change under UV irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional photochromic materials are used, then the basic photochromic function is achieved, but the UV sensitivity is low and the recovery time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of photochromic compounds by introducing specific substituents (fluorine atoms, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups) at defined positions, which changes the physical and chemical parameters of the material to achieve faster recovery speed and higher UV sensitivity while maintaining photochromic functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines photochromic compounds with liquid crystal materials to form a composite material system, where the liquid crystal component enhances the overall performance by improving recovery speed and providing additional functional benefits while the photochromic compound provides the color transition capability
2Reliability
If conventional photochromic materials are used, then the photochromic function is achieved, but the melting point is high and solubility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluorine atoms and various alkyl/alkoxy substituents at specific positions of the photochromic compound molecules, which significantly lowers the melting point and improves solubility by changing the intermolecular forces and molecular packing, while preserving the essential photochromic functional groups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liquid crystal materials as an intermediary medium to dissolve and process the photochromic compounds, leveraging the liquid crystal's ability to dissolve various organic compounds and provide a processable state at lower temperatures, thus improving ease of manufacture
3Reliability
If conventional photochromic materials are used, then the basic color transition capability is achieved, but the UV sensitivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electronic structure and optical properties of the photochromic compounds by introducing electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms and electron-donating alkyl/alkoxy groups at specific positions, which enhances the UV absorption coefficient and sensitivity while maintaining the reversible color transition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system where the photochromic compounds are combined with liquid crystal materials, and the synergistic interaction between the two components enhances UV sensitivity through improved molecular alignment and increased UV absorption cross-section while preserving the color transition function
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 material exhibits high UV sensitivity, rapid color transition, and improved solubility, enhancing the performance of optical devices such as color transition lenses and smart windows by allowing faster recovery to transparency and easier processing.
Implementation Method 1
Photochromism is a known physical phenomenon that occurs in some compounds... A photochromic material can be applied as a color transition lens, smart window, window film, or other photochromic applications
Implementation Method 2
a liquid-crystal material disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate... enabling rapid and reversible color change under UV irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device is provided, which includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, and a liquid-crystal material disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. The liquid-crystal material includes a photo responsive material with a chemical structure of:wherein A1 isA2 and A3 are independentlyX is halogen. R is H, C1-12 alkyl group, or C1-12 alkoxy group. R′ is C1-12 alkyl group.