Structurally-colored articles using multilayer optical elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coloration methods using dyes and pigments are environmentally unfriendly and fail to produce bright, luminous colors effectively, especially in low light conditions, and do not offer the desired level of visibility and safety.

Innovation Solution

The use of optical elements with high reflectance, such as multilayer reflectors or filters, that impart structural colors through scattering, refraction, reflection, and interference, providing a minimum percent reflectance of 50% or more within specific wavelength ranges, resulting in brighter and more visible colors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If dyes and pigments are used for coloration, then color can be achieved, but environmental harm increases and color brightness/luminosity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor brightnessVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies structural coloration through optical interference effects instead of chemical dyes or pigments. Multilayer optical structures with specific refractive indices and thicknesses create constructive and destructive interference patterns that reflect specific wavelengths, producing bright, luminous colors without any chromophoric chemicals. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating environmental harm while enhancing color brightness through physical optical effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of coloration (dyes and pigments absorbing or reflecting light based on chemical properties) with a physical/optical mechanism (structural coloration through interference, scattering, and refraction in multilayer structures). This substitution eliminates the need for harmful chemical substances while producing superior color luminosity and brightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If dyes and pigments are used for coloration, then color can be achieved, but visibility in low light conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility in low lightVSAvoidenvironmental unfriendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs structural coloration that produces inherently luminous colors through optical interference. These structurally-colored surfaces reflect light more efficiently and maintain color visibility in low-light conditions without relying on chemical pigments. The optical structures create bright, saturated colors that are naturally more visible than dye-based coloration, simultaneously improving visibility and eliminating environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite multilayer optical structures consisting of multiple layers with different refractive indices (such as alternating high and low refractive index materials). These composite structures create enhanced optical interference effects that produce bright, visible colors in low-light conditions while eliminating the need for harmful chemical pigments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Illumination intensity

If conventional coloration methods are used, then color can be applied, but the colors are not sufficiently bright or luminous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor luminosityVSAvoidenvironmental harm from chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the mechanism of color production from chemical absorption/reflection to physical optical interference. The multilayer optical structures create constructive interference for specific wavelengths, producing intensely bright and luminous colors that are superior to conventional dye-based methods. This approach eliminates environmental harm while achieving enhanced color luminosity through pure physical optics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters of the optical structures including layer thickness, refractive index contrasts, and layer sequences to maximize color brightness and luminosity. By precisely controlling these physical parameters, the patent achieves superior color intensity and luminosity without any chemical additives, resolving the contradiction between color quality and environmental harm.

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

The optical elements produce brighter, more luminous structural colors that are more visible in low light conditions, enhancing safety and visibility while reducing the need for environmentally harmful pigments and dyes.

Implementation Method 1

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)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11612208B2Structurally-colored articles and methods for making and using structurally-colored articles

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 NIKE INC

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 structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects. The optical element (e.g., a single layer reflector, a single layer filter, a multilayer reflector or a multilayer filter) 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 625 nanometers. The optical element imparts a structural color that corresponds substantially to the range of wavelength range.