Polymerizable Optical Composition for Blue Light Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plastic lenses fail to effectively block blue light with a wavelength of approximately 420 nm, despite being able to block ultraviolet light, leading to eye fatigue and potential age-related macular degeneration concerns.

Innovation Solution

A polymerizable composition for optical materials is developed, incorporating a specific ultraviolet absorbing agent with improved solubility, a radical polymerization initiator, and a dye, which forms a polymer that effectively blocks both harmful ultraviolet light and blue light while maintaining a colorless and transparent appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional ultraviolet absorbing agents are used to block ultraviolet light, then ultraviolet light blocking is achieved, but blue light blocking at 420 nm is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblue light blockingVSAvoideye protection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a specific ultraviolet absorbing agent (2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone) with a polymerizable allyl carbonate compound to create a composite material that provides both ultraviolet and blue light blocking functions. This composite approach allows the lens to effectively block harmful light in the 380-420 nm range while maintaining optical clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of the ultraviolet absorbing agent by selecting 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, which has enhanced solubility in the polymerizable allyl carbonate compound. This parameter change in solubility allows for effective blue light blocking without compromising the homogeneity and optical properties of the lens material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the light transmittance at 380 nm is reduced to 0% to block ultraviolet light, then ultraviolet protection is improved, but the solubility and homogeneity of the ultraviolet absorbing agent deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet light blockingVSAvoidhomogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solubility parameter of the ultraviolet absorbing agent by selecting 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, which exhibits improved solubility in the polymerizable allyl carbonate compound. This allows achieving 0% light transmittance at 380 nm while maintaining homogeneous distribution and preventing crystallization or precipitation in the lens material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If a polymerizable allyl carbonate compound is used as the base material, then the lens achieves high refractive index and light weight, but the ability to block blue light at 420 nm is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens weightVSAvoidblue light exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system by incorporating 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone into the polymerizable allyl carbonate compound matrix. This composite material maintains the advantages of allyl carbonate (high refractive index, light weight) while adding blue light blocking functionality through the ultraviolet absorbing agent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides superior blocking of blue light at 420 nm, reducing eye strain and stress, and is suitable for use in plastic spectacle lenses due to its excellent optical properties and external appearance.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet absorbing agent (B) represented by General Formula (i)... a superior effect of blocking light between harmful ultraviolet light and blue light of approximately 420 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

at least one kind of radical polymerization initiator (C)... a compound (A) represented by General Formula (1) and including two or more allyloxycarbonyl groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3381951B1Polymerizable composition for optical material, and optical material and plastic lens obtained from same

Publication Date: 2021.04.14 MITSUI CHEMICALS INC

AI summary

A polymerizable composition for an optical material of the present invention includes a compound (A) represented by General Formula (1) including two or more allyloxycarbonyl groups; an ultraviolet absorbing agent (B) represented by General Formula (i) ; at least one kind of radical polymerization initiator (C) selected from the group consisting of a peroxyketal-based radical polymerization initiator, a peroxymonocarbonate-based radical polymerization initiator, and a peroxyester-based radical polymerization initiator; at least one kind of dye (D) selected from an anthraquinone-based dye, a perinone-based dye, a monoazo-based dye, a diazo-based dye, and a phthalocyanine-based dye.