Structurally-colored articles and methods for making and using structurally-colored articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for imparting color to articles using dyes and pigments are environmentally unfriendly and pose challenges in terms of sustainability and chemical impact.
Innovation Solution
Articles are structured to exhibit structural colors through the use of optical elements on thermoplastic polymeric materials, which produce colors via scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference, eliminating the need for dyes or pigments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dyes and pigments are used to impart color to articles, then coloration is achieved, but environmental harm and chemical impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates dyes and pigments from the coloration process, replacing them with optical elements that generate color through physical optical effects rather than chemical substances. This removes the harmful chemical components while maintaining the coloration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes chemical coloration mechanisms with optical and physical mechanisms. Optical elements with specific microstructures manipulate light through scattering, absorption, and interference to produce color, replacing the chemical absorption and reflection mechanisms of dyes and pigments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical elements are used to produce structural color, then environmental friendliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film optical elements with microstructured surfaces that can be applied to various article surfaces. These thin films provide the necessary optical complexity while maintaining a lightweight, adaptable form factor that can be integrated into different products without excessive bulk or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from chemical composition-based coloration to surface topology-based coloration. By encoding color information in the three-dimensional microstructure of optical elements rather than in chemical substances, the system achieves environmental benefits while confining complexity to surface geometry rather than chemical formulations.
3Ease of manufacture
If thermoplastic polymeric material is heated to softening temperature, then optical element can be disposed on surface, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of thermoplastic polymeric materials from solid to softened state through controlled heating. This temporary phase change enables the optical element to be disposed on the surface, and subsequent cooling returns the material to its solid state, securing the optical element in place. The process leverages the material's inherent thermal properties rather than requiring continuous energy input.
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 method provides aesthetically appealing structural colors that are environmentally friendly and can be applied to various articles, including textiles, without the use of harmful chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, by optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light) imparted by the optical element
Implementation Method 2
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, by optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light) imparted by the optical element
Implementation Method 3
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, by optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light) imparted by the optical element
Implementation Method 4
structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, by optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light) imparted by the optical element
Implementation Method 5
Prior to disposing the optical element, the temperature of the thermoplastic material can be increased to a first temperature at or above one of a creep relaxation temperature, a heat deflection temperature, a Vicat softening temperature or a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material
Data Source
AI summary
One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles of manufacture and components of articles that incorporate an optical element that imparts a structural color to the component or the article. The component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, and can include or be made to have a textured surface.