Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming an image on a substrate comprising a transparent or translucent composition applied thereto, wherein the transparent or translucent composition comprises a protein in a non-denatured state, and the method comprises applying radiation to the transparent or translucent composition to denature the protein and thereby form an image on the substrate. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a substrate on which an image can be formed, and related substrates, compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a composition comprising: a near-infrared radiation absorbing compound; a colour-forming compound; and a heat transfer agent operable to facilitate heat transfer from the near-infrared radiation absorbing compound to the colour-forming compound; wherein the near-infrared radiation absorbing compound is present in an amount of 0.1-3.5 wt % of the total composition, and the heat transfer agent is present in an amount of 1-15 wt % of the total composition, and the heat transfer agent is present in the composition as solid particles. The invention further relates to substrates comprising the composition applied thereto, as well as methods of forming colour or an image on said substrates.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the particle size of ammonium octamolybdate (AOM) pigment powder are provided. A method can include heating the AOM pigment powder to a temperature above 20° C. for a given amount of time. An ink composition can be produced by formulating AOM pigment powder with increased particle size and incorporating the AOM pigment powder into an ink composition.

Abstract: A method of imparting color to a plastic substrate comprising applying to the substrate, or incorporating within the substrate, a diacetylene compound of general formula (I) wherein n=1 to 20; R1=an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl group which may contain heteroatoms; T=H, an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl group which may contain heteroatoms or —(CH2)m—C(?O)-Q2R2; Q1=NH, CO, NHCONH, OCONH, COS, NHCSNH or NR3, wherein m, Q2 and R2 are independently selected from the same groups as n, Q1 and R1 respectively; R3 is an optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl group which may contain heteroatoms; and irradiating the substrate to impart color to the substrate is described.

Abstract: A method of forming an image on a substrate by applying energy, involves a substrate in or on which there are at least two different colour-change agents, i.e. a first colour-change agent capable of giving rise to at least two different colours; and a second colour-change agent capable of giving rise to at least one different colour than achievable with the first colour change agent. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-layer laminate comprising, in order, a layer comprising the first agent, a barrier layer, and a layer comprising the second agent.

Abstract: Aqueous composition comprising a color former, a developer, and a binder, wherein (a) the weight ratio between the developer and the color former is in the range of from 1 to 5; (b) the binder comprises an acrylate binder, comprising acrylic acid and styrene, and at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of ?-methyl styrene, ethyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; and (c) the color former and/or the developer are present in an un-encapsulated form; a process for the preparation of these compositions, substrates coated with this composition and a process for its preparation, and a process for preparing a marked substrate using this composition.

Abstract: A method of forming an image on a substrate by applying energy, involves a substrate in or on which there are at least two different color-change agents, i.e. a first color-change agent capable of giving rise to at least two different colors; and a second color-change agent capable of giving rise to at least one different color than achievable with the first color change agent. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-layer laminate comprising, in order, a layer comprising the first agent, a barrier layer, and a layer comprising the second agent.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention provides an ink formulation comprising: (a) a near infrared absorbing system comprising a compound of the formula M1W1.6O6, wherein M1 is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of H, He, alkali metals such as Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, alkaline earth metals such as Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, rare-earth elements, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, AL Ga, in, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B, F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Hf, Os, Bi and I, or ammonium; (b) a color change agent; and (c) a binder. The invention also provides alternative ink formulations for laser marking, a method of forming an image using the ink formulations and a substrate coated with the ink formulation of the invention. Ink formulations according to the invention have been found to have good laser imaging efficacy, and an essentially negligible impact on the background color of the coating.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention provides an ink formulation comprising: (a) a near infrared absorbing system comprising a compound of the formula M1W1.6O6, wherein M1 is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of H, He, alkali metals such as Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, alkaline earth metals such as Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, rare-earth elements, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, AL Ga, in, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B, F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Hf, Os, Bi and I, or ammonium; (b) a colour change agent; and (c) a binder. The invention also provides alternative ink formulations for laser marking, a method of forming an image using the ink formulations and a substrate coated with the ink formulation of the invention. Ink formulations according to the invention have been found to have good laser imaging efficacy, and an essentially negligible impact on the background colour of the coating.

Abstract: Coating composition comprising a char forming compound as a first compound capable of forming a colored substance upon exposition to energy; at least one latent activator selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium sulfite, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium sulfamate and ammonium sulfate; and a second compound capable of forming a colored substance upon exposition to energy selected from the group consisting of color formers, oxygen containing transition metal compounds, and metal-chelate-type color forming systems; a coating composition comprising a char forming compound as a first compound capable of forming a colored substance upon exposition to energy, and a second compound capable of forming a colored substance upon exposition to energy selected from the group consisting of color formers and metal-chelate-type color forming systems; a process for the preparation of these compositions, substrates coated with these compositions and a process for their preparation

Abstract: Aqueous composition comprising a colour former, a developer, and a binder, wherein (a) the weight ratio between the developer and the colour former is in the range of from 1 to 5; (b) the binder comprises an acrylate binder, comprising acrylic acid and styrene, and at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of ?-methyl styrene, ethyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; and (c) the colour former and/or the developer are present in an un-encapsulated form; a process for the preparation of these compositions, substrates coated with this composition and a process for its preparation, and a process for preparing a marked substrate using this composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser-sensitive coating composition comprising titanium dioxide in the anatase form or polymeric particles comprising a polymeric matrix comprising one or more water-insoluble polymers and titanium dioxide in the anatase form encapsulated in the polymeric matrix, and a polymeric binder. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the compositions, processes for preparing substrates coated with the coating compositions, substrates coated with the compositions, processes for marking the substrates coated with the compositions, and marked substrates obtainable by the latter processes.

Abstract: A textile comprising a diacetylene compound which is capable of changing color when irradiated with light energy. Methods of imparting color to textiles comprising irradiating the textile with light energy are also provided.

Abstract: A laser-markable composition comprises a binder and an oxyanion of a multivalent metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder composition comprising particles of a) an alkali metal tungsten bronze, b) tungsten oxide, and c) tungsten metal, a method for the preparation of said powder composition, and to the use of said powder composition in form of a dispersion in a polymer material or article for heat shielding, or to increase the heat-input amount of near infrared radiation in processes selected from laser welding of plastics, NIR curing of coatings, drying of printing inks, fixing of ink toners to a substrate, heating of plastic performs, laser marking of plastics or paper.

Abstract: A laser-markable composition comprises a binder and an oxyanion of a multivalent metal.

Abstract: A laser-markable composition comprises a binder and an oxyanion of a multivalent metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a coloured substrate, comprising applying to or incorporating within the substrate a diacetylene compound, and exposing the substrate to (i) a first, activating stimulus that converts the diacetylene compound from an unreactive to a reactive form, and (ii) a second stimulus that causes the reactive form of the diacetylene compound to polymerize and form the coloured substrate, wherein the diacetylene compound reverts to its unreactive form on removal of the activating stimulus and is of formula I: Y—C?C—C?C—(CH2)n-T-Q-Z (I) wherein: n=an odd integer; T=CO, CS or a bond; Q=NH, S, O, OCONH, NHCONH, NH—CHE-CONH, NHCOO or NHCSNH wherein E is H or a C1-20 alkyl group; Z=H or a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms; Y=H or any group comprising at least one carbon atom.

Abstract: Laser-markable compositions and methods for providing an image on a substrate are provided. A laser-markable composition can include a pigment, a solvent, and a conductive polymer that absorbs IR radiation. This can be used to mark a substrate, using a low-energy laser. Irradiation can be by means of a near-IR laser source, and the conductive polymer can absorb radiation and transfer heat to the pigment.

Abstract: A composition comprising i) a color forming component which is susceptible to changing color when irradiated; ii) an amine neutralised alkylaromatic sulphonic acid; and iii) a binder. Methods of marking a substrate comprising incorporating within or applying to a substrate the composition of this invention, and substrates coated with the composition, are also provided.