328 results about "Thermochromism" patented technology

The invention is an energy efficient, thermochromic device for windows that allows sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when the ambient temperature is low and substantially blocks solar radiation when the ambient temperature is high, especially when sunlight is directly on the window. Additionally, the invention is a thermochromic device useful as variable transmission shutters for use in lenses or filters.

Methods and applications of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced antibacterial, anti-adhere, adhere, catalytic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, spectral change, biological and chemical decomposition properties of materials with embedded nanoparticles are disclosed. A method of the nonlinear generation of surface plasmon resonance enables the use of light with wavelengths from X-Ray to IR to enhance properties of materials by several orders of magnitude. The nanoparticle size is crucial for the enhancement and their size is considered to be in the proposed methods and applications within a range of 0.1 nm to 200,000 nm. The nanoparticles preferably are made of noble metals and / or semiconductor oxides. The invention describes a very broad spectrum of applications of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced properties of materials with embedded nanoparticles, from environmental cleanup by road pavement and construction materials, self-cleaning processes of surface materials, thermochromic effects on heat blocking materials, corrosion preventing paint, to sanitization by antibacterial textile fabrics, filters, personal clothing, contact lenses and medical devices.

The invention is an energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when the ambient temperature is low and substantially blocks solar radiation when the ambient temperature is high, especially when sunlight is directly on the window.

A cleansing composition is disclosed that changes color during use. The cleansing composition contains a plurality of thermochromic dyes that cause a color change to occur at a threshold temperature and continue to cause a color change over a temperature range. The range of temperatures corresponds to approximately the amount of time sufficient to properly wash or scrub using the product.

A material composition including a flexible, polymeric matrix and a reverse-thermochromic colorant is described. When subjected to a heat source, the polymeric material can change color from a pale or neutral color to a darker or more vibrant color of a Delta E (ΔE) change of >3. The reverse-thermochromic colorant exhibits a color change when exposed to a heat source within a period of about 30 seconds, and is observable by an unaided human eye under either natural daylight or ambient artificial normal lighting conditions. One or more different reverse-thermochromic colorants in combination may be incorporated. The polymeric matrix surrounds or encapsulates a solvatochromic dye molecule with a phenolate betaine structure. The polymeric matrix includes a dipole orientating agent that induces said solvatochromic dye to express locally when subjected to a temperature change. Various uses for the composition and articles that incorporate the composition are also described, in addition to a method of indicating the temperature of an object or environmental condition.

A glazing coated with at least one layer having thermochromic properties comprising vanadium oxide, and also with at least one other layer having thermal properties, such as an infrared reflecting layer, and / or at least one other layer having optical properties, such as antireflection in the visible, and / or electrical conduction properties; and having a particular application for making solar control glazing.

Composite materials having at least one of the following desirable properties is described. Such properties include: rigidity, printability, water-proofness, pliability, recyclable, thermochromic, antimicrobial, electrically conductive, compostable or biodegradability. The composite includes a filler-containing layer and a fiber-containing layer substantially coupled together continuously across the at least one surface of the layers. These composites maybe useful in various markets including, but not limited to, construction, packaging, shipping, consumer products and medical packaging. The inventive composites provide, advantages such as reduction of environmental footprint, improved mechanical properties, usefulness / cost ratio, reduction in material costs compared to prior art, and cosmetic performance are embodied in the present invention.

A welding accessory and a system for detecting thermal and / or UV radiation exposure during welding operations are disclosed. The welding accessory may have a surface exposed to thermal and / or UV radiation generated by electric arc welding, a first image visible without exposure to the thermal and / or UV radiation, and a second image formed from either a UV activated dye that is visible only after exposure to UV radiation generated by the electric welding arc or a thermochromic dye that is visible only after exposure to a predetermined level of thermal radiation generated by the welding arc. A system may include either a thermal or UV exposure indicator with a first state and at least a second state, and include either a thermochromic or UV activated dye adapted to provide a reversible or persistent visual indication upon exposure to radiation. The visual indication may include any combination of symbols, logos, images, text, or other decorative or informational designs as desired.

Disclosed herein are thermochromic elastic articles suitable for a variety of uses. The thermochromic elastic articles include at least one elastic polymeric composition having at least one thermochromic pigment substantially uniformly dispersed therein, and the elastomeric polymers include such as elastomeric emulsion-based polymers and elastomeric solution-based polymers. Such thermochromic elastic articles are highly useful for use in protective wear products, health care and medical care products, bandages and the like, and are capable of signaling environmental temperature change or temperature change in a wearer or user via a change in color. Additionally provided are articles of manufacture including the thermochromic elastic articles, such as articles including without limitation gloves, medical wraps, garments, and stress indicating articles.

The invention discloses multifunctional composite fiber and a preparation method thereof. The composite fiber has the properties of phase-change energy storage and thermochromism. The preparation method comprises the steps: preparing by a multi-fluid composite electrostatic spinning technology, adopting a phase-change energy storage material and a thermochromism material as two types of inner fluid, selecting proper outer fluid to form a multi-fluid composite jet flow, and obtaining micronano fiber shaped like non-woven fabrics under the function of high-pressure electrostatic force. The multifunctional composite fiber has the characteristics of stable structure, uniform dispersion and the like, and has the property of being capable of loading the phase-change energy storage material and the thermochromism material simultaneously. The composite material can be used for the fields of energy conservation of buildings, sensors, clothes, fabrics, energy storage materials and the like; and the multi-fluid composite electrostatic spinning technology adopted by the invention has simple device and easy operation.

Methods and compositions are provided comprising ingestibles and a thermochromic composition which is informative as to the temperature history of the ingestible, either prior or contemporaneous with use. Various solid or liquid ingestible compositions are provided for determining storage temperature, temperature of the user, temperature of the ingestible, particularly comestibles, and the like. Of particular interest are polydiacetylene polymers which may be formulated to provide compositions having transition temperature over a broad temperature range.

A thermochromic polymer-based temperature indicator composition which comprises a polythiophene and a carrier medium. The composition is characterized in that the polythiophene is present in the medium in an amount of about 0.05 to about 5.0% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The structure of the compound is designed such that when the composition is placed in a heat-exchange relationship with an article, the composition will exhibit a color change when a design temperature or a temperature beyond the design temperature is reached in the article.

[Object] To provide a reversibly thermochromic composition free from accidental discoloration by heat conducting from the opposite side writing surface or by self-heating due to quick writing; and also to provide a solid writing material and a writing ink composition comprising that composition.[Means to solve the problem] A reversibly thermochromic composition comprising a combination of: (a) a reversibly thermochromic component capable of being discolored or decolored by heat and (b) a component for controlling heat conducting to the reversibly thermochromic component; and also a solid writing material and a writing ink composition comprising that composition.

A temperature indicator for a rubber article comprises a thermochromic material, wherein the thermochromic material is a component of a rubber article selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses. A rubber article containing a temperature indicator is also disclosed, wherein the temperature indicator comprises a thermochromic material compounded with an elastomeric compound to form an elastomeric temperature indicator. A method of determining the operating temperature of a rubber article comprises incorporating at least one thermochromic material into a rubber article, the at least one thermochromic material having the property of changing color at a predetermined temperature, and examining the thermochromic material for a change in color, wherein the rubber article is selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses.

Methods and applications of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced antibacterial, anti-adhere, adhere, catalytic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, spectral change, biological and chemical decomposition properties of materials with embedded nanoparticles are disclosed. A method of the nonlinear generation of surface plasmon resonance enables the use of light with wavelengths from X-Ray to IR to enhance properties of materials by several orders of magnitude. The nanoparticle size is crucial for the enhancement and their size is considered to be in the proposed methods and applications within a range of 0.1 nm to 200,000 nm. The nanoparticles preferably are made of noble metals and / or semiconductor oxides. The invention describes a very broad spectrum of applications of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced properties of materials with embedded nanoparticles, from environmental cleanup by road pavement and construction materials, self-cleaning processes of surface materials, thermochromic effects on heat blocking materials, corrosion preventing paint, to sanitization by antibacterial textile fabrics, filters, personal clothing, contact lenses and medical devices.

A decorated luminary product includes either a candle or a candle holder containing the candle. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer web is heat shrunk to conform to a shape of the one of the candle and the candle holder. The web is decorated with a thermochromic ink or pigmentation to cooperate with heat emitted by burning the candle to provide a visible change in the ink or pigmentation, so as to provide a pleasing visual effect when the candle is burned.

The invention discloses a hypovanadic oxide-based composite film with adjustable radiance and a preparation method thereof. The hypovanadic oxide-based composite film comprises a transparent underlay and a composite film; the composite film comprises a hypovanadic oxide film positioned on the underlay and a conductive metal film positioned on the hypovanadic oxide film; the composite film also comprises an inorganic transparent film; the thickness of the conductive metal film is between 2 and 30 nanometers; metal particles exist in a continuous particle form; and an inert transition layer is deposited on the transparent underlay. The preparation method disclosed by the invention has a simple process; and on the premise of keeping the thermochromism performance of the hypovanadic oxide, the obtained hypovanadic oxide-based composite film can effectively reduce the radiance of low-temperature phase thereof, is favorable for improving the thermal insulation performance of the low-temperature phase, and enlarges the application range of the hypovanadic oxide-based composite film serving as an energy-saving window.

An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.

An aerosol container includes an aerosol canister for containing a flowable product at a pressure greater than ambient pressure, a dispensing valve for dispensing the flowable product from the aerosol canister, and a thermochromatic indicator provided on the aerosol canister. The thermochromatic indicator preferably is comprised of one or more thermochromatic materials and can provide a visual indication of at least one of (i) a fill level of the flowable product in the aerosol container and (ii) whether the temperature of the aerosol container in the vicinity of the thermochromatic indicator exceeds a predetermined temperature. Also disclosed are methods of detecting a fill level of a flowable product in an aerosol container using a thermchromatic indicator and manufacturing an aerosol container having a thermochromatic indicator. A thermochromatic pattern can also be applied to an aerosol container for a decorative effect.

The invention provides a thermochromic composition, a thermochromic microcapsule prepared by the thermochromic composition, thermochromic erasable neutral ink prepared by the thermochromic microcapsule, and a pen core filled with the thermochromic erasable neutral ink. The thermochromic composition comprises (1) an electron donating compound; (2) an electron accepting compound; and (3) an organic solvent. The thermochromic composition is characterized in that the organic solvent is diester formed by benzene ring-containing carboxylic acid and dihydric alcohol, or diester formed by dicarboxylic acid and benzene ring-containing fatty alcohol. A pen core can be assembled by the thermochromic erasable neutral ink of the invention combined with a specially-prepared erasable pen nib, which can realize functions of complete erasure of handwriting and repeated writing.

The invention belongs to synthetic anti-forgery ink of anti-counterfeiting materials, which is produced by mixing and specially processing commercial pigments, synthetic resin, vegetable oil, mineral oil, filling materials, additives and anti-counterfeiting materials, wherein the anti-counterfeiting materials include long-wave ultraviolet excitation fluorescence, short-wave ultraviolet excitation fluorescence, sunlight excitation color variable, infra-red excitation luminescence, thermochromism, chemical stain anti-counterfeiting materials, optical variable-hue, magnetism, DNA, invisible barcodes covering, intelligent potential and the like anti-counterfeiting materials. The synthetic anti-forgery ink of the invention is adaptable for various securities, bills, trademarks and the like, which has multiply anti-counterfeiting function. One time printing of the invention can achieve multiple anti-counterfeiting purposes. Further, the invention can satisfy identifying demands of different levels and has high anti-counterfeiting degree, which effectively increases anti-counterfeiting difficulty.

An image forming apparatus uses the difference in time taken for each patch to reach a color sensor, which occurs upon reversing the conveyance direction of a printing material. Due to this difference in time, the temperature of the printing material in detection by the color sensor differs among the respective patches. The error of a colorimetric value due to thermochromism is reduced by placing a patch with a colorimetric value which has a low temperature dependence so as to be detected earlier, and a patch with a colorimetric value which has a high temperature dependence so as to be detected later.

A polylaminated, waterproof, thermally-sensitive decal has a waterproof base that is adhesive on its outer surface and printable on its inner surface; an advertising image printed on the inner surface; a printable covering that overlays the advertising image; a layer of thermochromic ink on the printable covering such that the thermochromic ink is opaque at room temperature but is translucent at increased temperature; and a waterproof layer designed to overlay and protect the thermochromic ink in a moist or wet environment. The decals are designed to fit within the confines of a urinal and to act as a target for the user. The decals are easily applied and removed and are intended for use in moist or wet environments. Also disclosed is a method of advertising. The method includes providing a decal comprising a plastic layer that is adhesive on one surface and printable on its second surface; an advertising image or slogan printed on the second surface, a printable covering that overlays the advertising image, a layer of thermochromic ink such that the thermochromic ink is opaque at room temperature but is translucent at increased temperature in a moist or environment, and a waterproof layer designed to overlay the thermochromic ink; placing the decal in a urinal at a height above the fluid level, but near the fluid level for the higher-temperature urine to contact the decal; and replacing the decal periodically to coincide with new advertising campaigns.

Thermochromic Temperature-Monitoring Clothing, is the first apparel invention to provide early detection and prevention of cold exposure to skin surface via thermochromism. The invention is comprised of various outerwear for adults, children, babies and / or infants which visibly displays dermal temperature by employing thermochromic color changing characteristics via thermochromic dye incorporated into the fabric of the apparel, and / or fabric affixed to the apparel at the extremities, and / or thermochromic device affixed to the apparel. Prior art related to thermochromic color change in apparel has been exclusively related to aesthetic considerations, and not for any perceived health benefits or for monitoring and communicating skin temperatures. Therefore, Thermochromic Temperature-Monitoring Clothing serves a useful purpose and satisfies a long neglected need in the area of apparel and health maintenance.

The invention discloses a thermochromic heat insulation coating prepared from the following components in percentage by weight: 32-52% of pigment and filler, 2-10% of pulping solvent, 1-12% of pulping auxiliaries, 30-50% of film forming emulsion, 1-8% of reversible thermochromic material, 1-11.5% of paint mixing auxiliaries and 0-10% of paint mixing solvent. The thermochromic heat insulation coating can be used for achieving the aims of thermochromism, high temperature reflective heat insulation and low temperature heat absorption, and has favorable energy saving and decoration effects. The invention also discloses a preparation method of the thermochromic heat insulation coating. The preparation method comprises the following steps of: grinding the pigment and filler, the pulping solvent and the pulping auxiliaries to obtain a pulping part; stirring the film forming emulsion, the reversible thermochromic material, the paint mixing auxiliaries and the paint mixing solvent to obtain a paint mixing part; and mixing the pulping part and the paint mixing part to prepare the thermochromic heat insulation coating. The method is simple in preparation, easy for realizing large-scale industrial production and better in economic benefit.

A friction body for allowing an image having reversible thermochromism to change color from a first state to a second state by frictional heat, wherein the above-mentioned frictional body has a contact area ranging from 0.5 to 15 mm2 when pressed onto a glass plate with a load of 1000 g, a writing instrument containing a reversible thermochromic ink, which is provided with the above-mentioned friction body, and a writing instrument set having the writing instrument containing a reversible thermochromic ink and the above-mentioned friction body.

This invention encompasses display arrangements and assemblies having multiple layers. The base layer has a color image of non-thermochromic ink, a second layer includes a thermochromic ink, and a third layer includes a thermochromic ink forming an image visible on top of the second layer. The second and third layers largely mask the non-thermochromic ink from view. Cut-out stenciled images are cut through the second and third layer so that the non-thermochromic colors of the base layer are visible through them. At a lower temperature, the thermochromic inks are visible as well as the non-thermochromic ink colors through the cut-out stenciled image areas. At a higher, color-changing temperature, the thermochromic inks become sufficiently transparent that the non-thermochromic colors of the base layer are visible.

Temperature of a printing medium 110 is sufficiently decreased by stopping the printing medium 110 in a discharge path, conveying the printing medium at a low speed, switching a conveyance path, or the like. If the temperature of the printing medium 110 can be sufficiently decreased, the thermochromism phenomenon is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving highly accurate color matching and color stability.

An enhanced built-in visual warning mechanism to caution a user when the surfaces of a worklight are hot. A worklight is shown that has a housing that includes an interior portion for holding a light source such as one or more quartz halogen bulbs. The light source operates at a temperature sufficient to raise at least portions of the exterior surfaces of the housing to a temperature that is hot to human touch during normal operation of the worklight. A thermochromic substance is disposed in thermal communication with at least a portion of one of the exterior housing surfaces in a readily visible position. The thermochromic substance is formulated to undergo a conspicuous color change, in the normal operation of the worklight, in response to heat from the external surface where it is located. The dynamic color change provides a timely visible indication to the user that the exterior surface is presently hot to the touch. In some embodiments a thermal moderator is introduced between the hot worklight surface and the thermochromic substance to moderate the heat level applied to the thermochromic substance.