This invention relates to polymer-based partially-open, hollow reservoirs in the nano-size to micro-size range that encapsulate an additive, which can be released from the reservoirs using specific event stimuli such as reduction-oxidation and voltage change, or at will, using the same stimuli. This invention also relates to method preparing such reservoirs, and for releasing the additive. This invention further relates to matrix that comprises such reservoirs and the method of preparing such matrix. This invention also relates to applications, for example in corrosion inhibition, lubrication, and adhesion, that benefit from using such a controlled release of an additive.

An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid, a first, light scattering particle (typically white) and second, third and fourth particles having three subtractive primary colors (typically magenta, cyan and yellow); at least two of these colored particles being non-light scattering. The first and second particles bear polymer coatings such that the electric field required to separate an aggregate formed by the third and the fourth particles is greater than that required to separate an aggregate formed from any other two types of particles. Methods for driving the medium to produce white, black, magenta, cyan, yellow, red, green and blue colors are also described.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing a colorant having a target color and the colorant. The method includes configuring submicron particles prepared from a predetermined material to have a predetermined size; adjusting a ratio of the submicron particles to cuttlefish juice submicron particles to a predetermined ratio; evaporating a predetermined solution mixed with the submicron particles and the cuttlefish juice submicron particles to obtain an amorphous photonic crystal structure; acquiring spectral data for reflected light generated by incident light irradiating the amorphous photonic crystal structure; determining whether the spectral data meets a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition is associated with the target color; and responsive to determining that the spectral data does not meet the predetermined condition, adjusting at least one of the ratio or a size of each of the submicron particles until the spectral data meets the predetermined condition.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a facile one-pot reverse emulsion process to assemble core-shell nanoparticles (CS-SMNPs) into bright and noniridescent photonic supraballs. In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to core-shell nanoparticles having an inner high refractive index (RI) core and an outer low RI shell. In one or more embodiment, the present invention includes core-shell nanoparticles using high RI (˜1.74) melanin cores and low-RI (˜1.45) silica shells. In various embodiments, these nanoparticles may be self-assembled into bright and noniridescent supraballs using a scalable one-pot reverse emulsion process. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to generate a full spectrum of structural colors with the combination of only two ingredients, synthetic melanin and silica.

An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid, a first, light scattering particle (typically white) and second, third and fourth particles having three subtractive primary colors (typically magenta, cyan and yellow); at least two of these colored particles being non-light scattering. The first and second particles bear polymer coatings such that the electric field required to separate an aggregate formed by the third and the fourth particles is greater than that required to separate an aggregate formed from any other two types of particles. Methods for driving the medium to produce white, black, magenta, cyan, yellow, red, green and blue colors are also described.

Methods and systems for optical effects in pigments, inks, and on media. One aspect of this disclosure involves a pigment particle which includes a core, having a fluorescent material and having a spherical shape, and a shell surrounding the core; the shell includes a photochromic material which has a first optical property in a first light source and a second optical property in a second light source which includes a set of wavelengths not sufficiently present in the first light source. The second optical property attenuates an emitted radiation from the fluorescent material. Other aspects are also described.

A colored resin particle dispersion and an ink are provided which yield excellent abrasion resistance and prevent change in the color tone. Moreover, a colored resin particle dispersion and an inkjet ink are provided which exhibit excellent abrasion resistance, together with excellent water resistance and marker resistance. Specifically provided is a colored resin particle dispersion containing colored resin particles, a basic dispersant, and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the colored resin particles include a colorant, a solid resin and a liquid organic compound having an acidic group, and the oxidation-reduction potential of the colored resin particle dispersion is 300 mV or less. Also provided is an inkjet ink containing this colored resin particle dispersion.

Provided are a method for producing an aqueous inkjet pigment dispersion, including producing a mixed liquid of water, a pigment, a pigment dispersing polymer, and rosin acid in an amount of from 3% by mass to 30% by mass relative to the total mass of the pigment, and reducing the amount of rosin acid included in the produced mixed liquid, to less than 3.0% by mass relative to the total mass of the pigment; an aqueous inkjet pigment dispersion; and an aqueous inkjet ink.

A process for preparing a dispersion comprising the stages: i) providing a dispersion comprising a particulate solid, a liquid medium and a dispersant having cross-linkable groups and a weight averaged molecular weight of from 1,000 to 70,000; and ii) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the particulate solid and the liquid medium thereby preparing a dispersion of an encapsulated particulate solid, wherein the cross-linking is performed such that 0.01 to 0.5 mmoles of cross-linkable groups in the dispersant are cross-linked per g of dispersant; said process also comprising at any stage: iii) adding a metal chelating agent to the dispersion; and after stage iii) the stage of: iv) removing at least some of the metal chelating agent from the dispersion.

A method for producing infra-red inert substrates, including molded polymeric articles, films, fibers and coatings and other organic and inorganic materials, by incorporating into the substrate or onto the surface of the substrate an effective amount of a dispersed bis-oxodihydroindolylen-benzodifuranone colorant. The thus obtained, also claimed substrates so produced are reflective and transparent to much of the near infra red radiation not reflected. There are multiple applications for cases of devices comprising electronic components, outdoor construction elements, outdoor furniture, automotive, marine or aerospace parts, laminates, artificial leather or textile materials, as well as in polychrome printing processes and optical fibers. The thus obtained substrates can also be subjected to laser welding. New bis-oxo-dihydroindolylen-benzodifuranone compounds are also claimed.