Structural Color Optical Element for Low-Light Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coloration methods using dyes and pigments are environmentally unfriendly and lack efficiency in producing bright, luminous colors, especially in low light conditions, and require high material usage.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical element with reflective layers and a textured surface that imparts structural colors through scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference, achieving high reflectance and luminosity with minimal material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dyes and pigments are used for coloration, then color can be achieved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical coloration methods (dyes and pigments) with physical optical methods (structural coloration). The optical element uses microstructured surfaces and interference layers to produce color through light reflection and interference, eliminating the need for chemical dyes and pigments, thereby resolving the environmental harm issue while maintaining coloration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental mechanism of color production from chemical absorption (dyes/pigments) to physical optical parameters (reflection, interference, diffraction). By controlling the structural parameters of the optical element (layer thickness, surface structure), pure colors are achieved without material consumption, addressing both environmental concerns and material usage issues
2Ease of manufacture
If dyes and pigments are used for coloration, then color can be achieved, but brightness and luminosity in low light conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical absorption-based coloration with physical reflection-based coloration. The optical element reflects specific wavelengths of light while maintaining high overall reflectance, producing bright and luminous colors that are visible in low light conditions, overcoming the limitation of pigment-based coloration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes how color is produced - instead of absorbing specific wavelengths through chemical pigments, the optical element selectively reflects wavelengths through interference and diffraction patterns. This physical color production mechanism maintains high brightness and luminosity even in low light environments
3Quantity of substance
If high material usage is employed for coloration, then color coverage can be achieved, but material efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces material-intensive chemical coloration with minimal-material physical optical coloration. The optical element produces color through its microstructure and optical properties rather than through abundant pigment application, dramatically improving material efficiency while achieving complete color coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the color production mechanism from relying on material quantity (pigment concentration and coverage) to relying on structural parameters (layer thickness, surface geometry). This parameter-based approach achieves full color coverage with minimal material usage, resolving the contradiction between material quantity and efficiency
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 optical element provides brighter, more luminous and pure structural colors that are visible in low light conditions, reducing material requirements and environmental impact while enhancing safety and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element includes reflective layers and constituent layers... structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light)
Implementation Method 2
The optical element includes reflective layers and constituent layers. Optionally, the optical element includes a textured surface... through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light
Implementation Method 3
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light)
Implementation Method 4
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light)
Implementation Method 5
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1M
Figure 1N(a)~1N(b)
Figure 1O(a)~1O(b)
AI summary
As described above, one or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles having structural color, and methods of making articles having structural color. The present disclosure provides for articles that exhibit structural colors through the use of an optical element, where strucrural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects. The optical element can include the reflective layer(s), constituent layers, and an optional textured surface. The optical element has a minimum percent reflectance in a wavelength range within the wavelength range of about 380 to 740 nanometers. The optical element imparts a structural color that corresponds substantially to the range of wavelength range.