Tunable Color Transition Compositions via Phase Change Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current color change technologies lack the ability to reversibly transition from a colored to a colorless state based on temperature changes, solvation, or hydration, and do not offer tunable phase control for various applications, particularly in food-grade and industrial settings.

Innovation Solution

Development of tunable phase controllable systems using micro-encapsulation and un-encapsulated processes that utilize natural product-based color developers and combinatorial chemistries, such as leuco dye and polydiacetylenic-based compounds, to achieve reversible and irreversible color changes in response to temperature, solvation, and hydration stimuli, with options for hysteresis and broad transition ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional color change technologies are used, then color development can occur, but reversible transition from colored to colorless state based on temperature changes is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereversibility of color transitionVSAvoidtunability of phase control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying the composition ratios of color formers, color developers, and phase change materials to achieve different transition temperatures and color intensities. The phase change material's melting point is adjusted through composition modification, enabling reversible color transitions at specific temperature ranges while maintaining tunability for different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite materials by combining color formers, color developers, and phase change materials into integrated compositions. These composite systems enable simultaneous temperature sensing and reversible color development, where the phase change material facilitates reversible transitions that drive the color development and extinction cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If micro-encapsulation processes are used, then phase control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase control precisionVSAvoidencapsulation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes micro-encapsulation with flexible shell structures to encapsulate the color former and color developer components. These thin film encapsulations provide precise phase control by containing the reactive components while allowing controlled interaction with the phase change material, achieving manufacturing precision without excessive complexity through standardized encapsulation techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If broad transition ranges are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision of transition temperature decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition range coverageVSAvoidtransition temperature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the color development system into multiple components with distinct transition characteristics. By combining color formers and developers with different transition temperatures, the system achieves broad overall adaptability while each individual component maintains precise transition temperature control, resolving the contradiction between range and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

These systems enable reversible color development and extinction in response to temperature and hydration changes, providing a wide range of applications from food safety to industrial monitoring, with the ability to tune color transitions and hysteresis, enhancing the utility in various market sectors.

Implementation Method 1

comprising a color former and a color developer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

tunable phase controllable systems for generating color development reversibly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS11225100B2Tunable directional color transition compositions and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 SEGAN INDS

AI summary

Color change compositions that transition from a first to second color state upon application of an applied stimulus are provided. Also provided are substrates having the compositions on a surface thereof, as well as methods of making and using the compositions.