Anti-Counterfeit Ink Composition With Tungsten Oxide NIR Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-counterfeit inks using composite tungsten oxide fine particles exhibit insufficient near-infrared absorption properties and insufficient contrast between visible light and near-infrared regions, and are lacking in weather resistance.

Innovation Solution

The anti-counterfeit ink composition utilizes composite tungsten oxide fine particles with a specific lattice constant range (a-axis: 7.3850 Å to 7.4186 Å, c-axis: 7.5600 Å to 7.6240 Å) and a hexagonal crystal structure, coated with elements like Si, Ti, Al, or Zr, and dispersed in a solvent or resin, to enhance near-infrared absorption and maintain visible light transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If phthalocyanine compounds are used as near-infrared absorbing materials, then near-infrared absorption is achieved, but weather resistance deteriorates due to reduced absorption properties under temperature and ultraviolet influence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenear-infrared absorptionVSAvoidweather resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from phthalocyanine compounds to tungsten oxide fine particles, which have different optical and chemical properties. Tungsten oxide maintains stable absorption properties under temperature and UV exposure, resolving the weather resistance issue while preserving near-infrared absorption capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite tungsten oxide fine particles with specific crystal structures and compositions. By controlling the crystal phase and particle characteristics, the material achieves both excellent near-infrared absorption and superior weather resistance, overcoming the limitations of single-material approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If solar radiation absorbing film is applied to anti-counterfeit ink, then near-infrared absorption is achieved, but contrast between absorption and transmission regions deteriorates, reducing reading precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenear-infrared absorptionVSAvoidreading precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating tungsten oxide fine particles with specific local crystal structures and surface properties. The particles exhibit high near-infrared absorption in specific wavelength regions while maintaining transparency in visible light regions, achieving superior contrast essential for precise reading and authentication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes critical parameters including particle size (1-100 nm), crystal structure (monoclinic, tetragonal, or cubic phases), and surface characteristics of tungsten oxide. These parameter adjustments maximize the contrast between near-infrared absorption and visible light transmission, enabling high reading precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If conventional near-infrared absorbing materials are used, then infrared absorption is achieved, but contrast between visible light transmission and near-infrared absorption is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenear-infrared absorptionVSAvoidcontrast between visible and near-infrared regions
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically optimizes multiple parameters of tungsten oxide fine particles including particle size (1-100 nm), crystal phase composition, stoichiometry (WO3-x where 0 < x < 0.3), and surface area. These parameter changes create material properties that simultaneously achieve high near-infrared absorption coefficient and high visible light transmission, maximizing the contrast ratio

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite tungsten oxide structures with controlled phases and compositions. The composite nature at the nanoscale allows tuning of optical properties to achieve exceptional contrast between visible and near-infrared regions, outperforming conventional single-phase materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 an anti-counterfeit printed matter with reliable authenticity judgment, high weather resistance, and improved contrast between visible light and near-infrared regions, making it difficult to duplicate by copying and ensuring high productivity.

Implementation Method 1

a printing ink that absorbs near infrared rays having a wavelength from 800 to 2400 nm with little absorption in a visible light region of a wavelength of 300 to 780 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-infrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

transmit the visible light region and having absorption in the near-infrared region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3643757B1Counterfeit-preventing ink composition, counterfeit-preventing ink, printed article for counterfeit prevention, and method for producing counterfeit-preventing ink composition
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided an anti-counterfeit ink composition, an anti-counterfeit ink, and an anti-counterfeit printed matter that transmits a visible light region, having absorption in an infrared region, and capable of judging authenticity of a printed matter, and containing composite tungsten oxide fine particles, the composite tungsten oxide fine particles having a hexagonal crystal structure, having a lattice constant such that a-axis is 7.3850 Å or more and 7.4186 Å or less, and c-axis is 7.5600 Å or more and 7.6240 Å or less, and having a particle size of the near-infrared absorbing material fine particles is 100 nm or less, and a method for producing the anti-counterfeit ink composition, the anti-counterfeit ink, the anti-counterfeit printed matter, and the anti-counterfeit ink composition.