Structural Color Optical Elements for Flexible Materials Without Dyes

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for imparting color to materials rely on dyes and pigments, which can be environmentally unfriendly and may not provide aesthetically appealing, durable, or flexible color options, especially when applied to textiles and other flexible materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of optical elements on thermoplastic materials, such as titanium dioxide or doped titanium oxide layers, to create structural colors through scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference, eliminating the need for dyes or pigments and maintaining material properties like stretch and hand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If dyes and pigments are used to impart color to materials, then coloration is achieved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates and material flexibility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration processVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical coloration methods (dyes and pigments) with physical optical methods. Optical elements with micro- or nano-structures are applied to the material surface, creating structural color through light scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical colorants and their associated environmental hazards while maintaining flexible material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of coloration from chemical composition (dyes/pigments) to physical structure (optical elements). By controlling the size, shape, and arrangement of micro- and nano-structures in the optical elements, different colors are achieved through optical effects rather than chemical absorption, resolving the contradiction between effective coloration and environmental friendliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If dyes and pigments are used to impart color to flexible materials, then coloration is achieved, but material properties such as stretch and hand are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration processVSAvoidmaterial flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes chemical coloration with physical optical structures that do not interfere with the underlying material's molecular structure. The optical elements are applied as surface layers or coatings, allowing the base flexible material to maintain its original stretch and hand properties while acquiring color through optical effects rather than chemical infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coloration function is separated from the base material by applying discrete optical elements as surface layers. This segmentation allows the optical coloration layer to perform its color-imparting function independently while the underlying flexible material retains its mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between coloration and material flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional coloration methods are used, then color is imparted to materials, but color durability and aesthetic appeal are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor applicationVSAvoidcolor durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention fundamentally changes the mechanism of color production from chemical absorption to physical optical effects. Structural color generated by micro- and nano-structures provides superior durability because it is inherent to the physical structure rather than dependent on chemical stability. The optical elements can be designed to produce iridescent and angle-dependent colors that enhance aesthetic appeal while maintaining durability through their robust physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach results in aesthetically appealing, durable, and flexible structural colors that do not compromise the material's properties, offering a wide range of hues and iridescence effects without the environmental impact of traditional colorants.