Structurally-colored articles and methods of making and using structurally-colored articles

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for imparting color to man-made objects rely on pigments or dyes, which can be environmentally unfriendly and lack aesthetic appeal, especially in terms of angle-independent color retention.

Innovation Solution

The use of optical elements, such as multilayer reflectors or filters, integrated into articles like footwear and apparel to produce structural colors through optical effects like scattering, refraction, and interference, eliminating the need for pigments or dyes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If pigments or dyes are used to impart color to articles, then color can be achieved, but the environmental impact increases and angle-independent color retention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidangle-independent color retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of color generation from chemical (pigment/dye absorption) to physical (optical interference and scattering). By using structurally colored optical elements with specific microstructures and refractive indices, the system achieves angle-independent color retention while eliminating environmentally harmful pigments and dyes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of color generation (pigment/dye molecules absorbing specific wavelengths) with a physical/optical mechanism (microstructural interference and scattering of light). This substitution eliminates the need for chemical colorants while achieving superior color stability from all viewing angles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional pigments or dyes are used for coloring, then coloration is achieved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates due to angle-dependent color shifting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration processVSAvoidcolor appearance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the color generation mechanism from chemical composition-based to physical structure-based. The optical elements contain microstructures with specific dimensions and refractive indices that produce interference patterns, yielding angle-independent color appearance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through deposition or lamination processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If structural color optical elements are used, then angle-independent color retention is improved and environmental friendliness is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle-independent color retentionVSAvoidoptical element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-film optical elements with microstructured surfaces that can be laminated onto or integrated into the article. These flexible thin films contain the structural color features in a compact form, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining angle-independent color retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The optical elements with structural color features can be integrated into existing article structures or layered onto surfaces. The microstructures are nested within thin-film configurations that can be incorporated into multi-layer assemblies, minimizing added complexity while achieving the desired optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 aesthetically appealing, angle-independent structural colors that are environmentally friendly and maintain their appearance without shifting hues significantly when viewed from different angles.