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 method of forming an image on a substrate, which comprises applying to the substrate an activatable color forming compound wherein said activatable color forming compound is initially unreactive but becomes reactive upon activation; activating said color forming compound in the areas of the substrate where the image is to be formed, and, reacting the activated color forming compound into its colored form to produce an image. A substrate imaged using this method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of marking a substrate comprising treating the substrate with a boron compound and a charrable agent, and, irradiating the areas of the substrate to be marked such that those areas change colour. Marked substrates obtainable by this method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a paper substrate comprising a color former which is capable undergoing a light activated color change reaction, wherein the color former is applied to the paper substrate during the manufacture of said paper substrate, and the color former is a metal oxyanion or a molecular organic. A paper substrate obtainable by this method is also provided.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a diacetylene compound as a color former wherein the diacetylene compound has one of general formulae (I) to (V). The invention also includes methods of imparting color to a material including a compound as defined above, which comprises subjecting the material to irradiation.

Abstract: A method of imparting colour 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 colour to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a color filter, comprising: applying to a substrate at least one diacetylene capable of undergoing a light-activated color change reaction, and exposing the substrate to light thereby causing the exposed regions of the substrate to change color. The invention also provides devices comprising colored filters such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A composition susceptible to changing color upon the application of energy, wherein the composition comprises a color former and a tinting colorant, wherein the tinting colorant has a complementary color to that of the composition comprising the color former without tinting colorant. Preferably, the composition 5 also comprises an energy absorbing additive. The invention also provides a method of improving contrast when a composition susceptible to changing color is imaged.

Abstract: A laser-markable composition comprises a marking component and an organic compound, wherein the organic compound absorbs laser radiation at 780 to 2000 nm and thereby causes the marking component to change color, and wherein the organic compound has an absorptivity ratio, A r, of at least 1.25, wherein the absorptivity ratio is defined as formula (I): wherein: Ap780-2000 nm is an absorbance peak in the wavelength region of 780 to 2000 nm; and Aave600-700 nm is the average absorbance in the wavelength region of 400 to 700 nm.

Abstract: An ink formulation comprises a marking component and a metal salt that absorbs laser irradiation at 700-2000 mn and thereby causes the marking component to change colour. A copper salt in particular allows effective marking with a diode or CO2 laser.

Abstract: A method for marking an substrate, comprising coating the substrate with a white or colorless solution of a soluble alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of a weak acid and irradiating areas of the substrate to be marked such that those areas change color, wherein the substrate comprises a polysaccharide material.

Abstract: The present invention provides coating compositions comprising (i) a) a compound containing a free carbonyl group and b) a nucleophile or (ii) a compound containing a free carbonyl group, which compound is substituted with one or more nucleophilic groups. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of these compositions, substrates coated with these compositions and a process for their preparation, a process for preparing marked substrates using these compositions, and marked substrates obtainable by the latter process.

Abstract: A tape construct comprises a laser-imageable composition, whereby images can be created in said tape by irradiation with a laser. In an alternative, a laser-imageable formulation suitable for spray application to a substrate, comprises a color-former, a binder and a carrier.

Abstract: A laser-markable composition comprises 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides coating compositions for marking substrates, which comprises a color former, an amine salt of an organic metal compound, a binder, a solvent, and optionally additional components, wherein the amine salt of the organic metal compound is of formula (I) in which X is silicon or boron, and E and F are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h in which R6 and R7 are the same or different are hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, C1-4-alkoxy, halogen, amino or carboxy, and for X=silicon o=1 and p=0, and R1 is aryl, aralkyl or C1-4-alkyl, or o=1 and p=1, and R1 and R2 together form a one residue selected from the group consisting of a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h, and for X=boron o=0 and p=0, and R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and are hydrogen, C1-12-alkyl, C1-6-hydroxyalkyl, allyl, aralkyl or arylsulfonyl, in which aralkyl or arylsulfonyl can be substituted with C1-4-alkyl, or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a m

Abstract: The present invention provides coating compositions for marking substrates, which comprise a colour former in an amount of from 0.01 to 50%, a metal salt of a carboxylic acid in an amount of from 0.01 to 50%, a binder in an amount of from 1 to 80% and an organic solvent in an amount of from 1 to 99%, wherein each amount is by weight based on the weight of the composition. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the composition of the present invention, substrates coated with these compositions and a process for preparing a marked substrate using these compositions.

Abstract: A compound which undergoes a color change upon irradiation, and which has the general structure: X—C?C—C?C—Y—(CO)n-QZ wherein X is H, alkyl or —Y—(CO)n-QW; each Y is the same or a different divalent alkylene group; Q is O, S or NR; R is H or alkyl; W is H, alkyl or Z; each Z is the same or a different unsaturated alkyl group; and each n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: An ink formulation comprises a marking component, e.g. ammonium octamolybdate, and a metal salt that absorbs laser irradiation at 780-2500 nm, e.g. reduced indium tin oxide, and thereby causes the marking component to change colour.

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