SBIR Phase I: Serially Customized Security Films Harnessing Color-shifting Microstructures

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力与变色安全膜的开发和商业用途有关。这种安全膜由三维设计的微结构阵列中的光反射产生颜色。据估计，大约5%的世界贸易受到假冒或盗版产品的影响，对广泛的市场产生了负面影响，同时将消费者的安全置于危险之中。有必要和市场机会实施新的、有效的战略和技术，以打击造假者并向最终用户传达真实性。该项目开发的技术的价值基于一种独特的光学机制，该机制能够创建不可模仿或复制的可调和视觉上独特的颜色变化外观。成果包括开发卷对卷制造的结构彩色胶片，其颜色可连续定制。最初的目标市场专注于消费者品牌保护和供应链安全。目标客户包括通过联合开发、直销和/或许可的安全功能提供商公司。第三年的潜在年收入估计在100万至300万美元之间。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将在微结构变色安全膜的研究开发中追求两个技术目标。第一个技术目标是在不影响色彩饱和度的情况下增加总反射率。克服这一障碍是必要的，以确保薄膜在一系列非最佳照明条件下都能吸引眼球。将采用模拟和实验相结合的方法来设计和优化薄膜的反射效率。将演示优化后的结构几何形状的卷到卷制造。第二个技术目标是演示用于定制彩虹膜打印的系列彩色图案。颜色的连续定制，例如条形码或数字，将使胶片能够与数字安全平台集成。将进行微结构几何形状和工艺参数的评估，以确定颜色的一致性和重复性，同时实现高空间分辨率。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact / commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 project relates to the development and commercial utility of color-shifting security films. Such security films produce color from light reflections in three-dimensionally designed microstructure-arrays. Approximately 5% of the world trade is estimated to be impacted by counterfeit or pirated products, negatively affecting a broad range of markets while putting the safety of consumers at risk. There is a need and market opportunity to implement new, effective strategies and technologies to counteract counterfeiters and communicate authenticity to end users. The value of the technology developed in this project is based on a distinguished optical mechanism that enables the creation of tunable and visually distinctive color changing appearances that can not be imitated or copied. Outcomes include the development of roll-to-roll manufactured structural color film with colors that are serially customizable. The initial target market is focused on consumer brand protection and supply chain security. Target customers include security feature provider companies through joint-development, direct sales, and/or licensing. Potential annual revenue in year three is estimated between $1M-$3M. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 project will pursue two technical aims in the research development of microstructured color-shifting security films. The first technical objective is to increase total reflectivity without compromising color saturation. Overcoming this hurdle is necessary to ensure that the films are eye-catching under a range of non-optimal lighting conditions. A combination of simulations and experimentation will be used to design and optimize the reflective efficiency of the films. Roll-to-roll fabrication of the optimized structure geometries will be demonstrated. The second technical objective is the demonstration of serial color patterning for customized printing of iridescent films. Serial customization of color, for instance with bar codes or numbers, will enable integration of the films with digital security platforms. Evaluation of microstructure geometry and processing parameters will be conducted to determine color consistency and repeatability while achieving high spatial resolution.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.