Structural Color Optical Elements for Dye-Free Material Coloration

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for imparting color to materials rely on dyes and pigments, which can be environmentally unfriendly and have limitations in terms of durability and aesthetic appeal, particularly in creating iridescent effects.

Innovation Solution

The use of optical elements disposed on a cured material to produce structural color through scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference of light, eliminating the need for dyes or pigments and allowing for iridescent effects without environmental impact.

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 harm and limited aesthetic appeal occur

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 to produce structural color through light scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference, eliminating the need for chemical colorants and their associated environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of color production from chemical composition to physical structure. By controlling the size, shape, and arrangement of optical elements at the micro- and nano-scales, a wide range of colors and iridescent effects are achieved without chemical dyes or pigments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If dyes and pigments are used for coloration, then color is achieved, but durability and aesthetic appeal are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration processVSAvoidcolor durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical coloration with physical optical structures that are inherently more durable. The optical elements are applied as a coating or layer on the material surface, providing color that does not fade, bleed, or degrade like dye-based coloration, while enabling advanced aesthetic effects such as iridescence and angle-dependent color shifts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If optical elements are used to produce structural color, then environmental friendliness and aesthetic appeal are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary optical element layer between the base material and the external environment. This optical element layer, containing micro- or nano-structures, acts as a mediator that interacts with light to produce structural color, simplifying the overall manufacturing by separating the coloration function from the base material production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the complexity through precise parameter specification of the optical elements, such as size ranges (micro- or nano-scale), structural configurations, and material compositions. By standardizing these parameters, the manufacturing process becomes more manageable despite the advanced functionality achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional dyes and pigments are used, then coloration is achieved, but iridescent effects and color variety are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration processVSAvoidcolor range and effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves superior color variety and iridescent effects by varying physical parameters of optical elements including size, shape, orientation, spacing, and material composition. These parameter variations enable control over light interaction mechanisms, producing a wide spectrum of colors, iridescence, and angle-dependent optical effects that are impossible with traditional dyes and pigments.

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 provides aesthetically appealing, durable, and environmentally friendly structural color that shifts with viewing angles, offering a wide range of hues without the use of traditional colorants, enhancing the visual appeal of products like footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment.