Abstract: An omnidirectional structural color pigment having a protective coating. The pigment has a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. In addition, the pigment reflects a band of electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nm and a predetermined color shift of less than 30° when the pigment is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45°. The pigment has a weather resistant coating that covers an outer surface thereof and reduces a relative photocatalytic activity of the pigment by at least 50%.

Abstract: A thin film structure including a reflector layer; and a hybrid layer including an organic colored material and at least one of an organic filler and an inorganic filler; wherein a concentration of the at least one of an organic filler or an inorganic filler is in a range of from about 3 wt. % to about 30 wt. %. A method of making a thin film structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layered article including a substrate; a release layer including polyvinyl alcohol and at least one cross-linking agent; and a first selective light modulator layer; wherein the release layer crosslinks and is water insoluble is disclosed. Also, disclosed is a multi-layered article including a substrate; a waterborne release layer; and a first selective light modulator layer including a cross-linking agent. Methods of making the multi-layered articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article including a thin film interference pigment; and a coating including a selectively absorbing nanoparticle is disclosed. The article can exhibit increased chromaticity as compared to the thin film interference pigment alone. Methods of making the article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pigment including a pre-flake; and a coating of nanoparticles present on a surface of the pre-flake, wherein the nanoparticles can be present in the coating in an amount greater than about 40% by volume is disclosed. A method of making a pigment is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article includes a first organic layer and a second organic layer each with an interior embossed surface; and an embossed reflector layer adjacent to the interior embossed surface of the first organic layer and adjacent to the interior embossed surface of the second organic layer. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diffractive pigment blend or composition is provided which includes a plurality of groups of all-dielectric diffractive pigment flakes. The pigment flakes of each group each include one or more dielectric layers for providing a background color, at least one of which includes a diffractive structure for providing a diffractive effect. Each group of pigment flakes provides a different diffractive effect, and the diffractive pigment blend or composition provides a combined diffractive effect that is a combination of the different diffractive effects. The combined diffractive effect may be a neutral white diffractive effect or may include a reversal in color travel.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film device includes coating a web with a multi-layer thin film; and applying a mechanical force to release the multi-layer thin film from the web. Additional methods of forming a thin film device are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of substantially same planar pigment flakes, each formed of one or more thin film layers. Each flake has a face surface and a flake border delimiting the face surface; the flake border undulates in the plane of the flake. The flakes have a pre-selected shape, may have a symbol or a grating thereon. A method of manufacturing of these flakes including the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a plurality of one-flake regions and a plurality of depressions or protrusions disposed therebetween and not extending into the one-flake regions, (b) coating the substrate with a releasable coating, and (c) removing the releasable coating and breaking it into the flakes; wherein two adjacent of the one-flake regions are separated by at least three of the depressions or protrusions for facilitating the breaking of the releasable coating into the flakes.

Abstract: A security device has a support substrate of a first material having a softening temperature t1 and an embossed layer of a second different material supported by the support substrate having a softening temperature t2, wherein t2<t1. A thin film coating deposited directly upon the embossed layer, wherein the embossed layer is capable of being dissolved in a dissolving agent and wherein the thin film coating is not dissolvable by said dissolving agent. There is not need for an additional release layer as the second different material is dissolvable and allows flakes to be formed by dissolving the second layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of substantially same planar pigment flakes, each formed of one or more thin film layers. Each flake has a face surface and a flake border delimiting the face surface; the flake border undulates in the plane of the flake. The flakes have a pre-selected shape, may have a symbol or a grating thereon. A method of manufacturing of these flakes including the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a plurality of one-flake regions and a plurality of depressions or protrusions disposed therebetween and not extending into the one-flake regions, (b) coating the substrate with a releasable coating, and (c) removing the releasable coating and breaking it into the flakes; wherein two adjacent of the one-flake regions are separated by at least three of the depressions or protrusions for facilitating the breaking of the releasable coating into the flakes.

Abstract: A color shifting security device has a Fabry-Perot type structure wherein a dielectric layer is disposed between a reflector and an absorbing layer. The absorber and reflector layers may be conforming and the dielectric layer therebetween is non-conforming, filling the regions in the micro structured adjacent absorbing or reflecting layer, at least one of which has a microstructure therein or thereon. By having the dielectric layer not conform to the microstructure it is next to, its thickness varies in cross section, which allows for different colors to be seen where the thickness varies.

Abstract: The invention relates to anisotropic, reflective, magnetic flakes. In a liquid carrier and under influence of an external magnetic field, the flakes attract to one another side-by-side and form ribbons which provide higher reflectivity to a coating and may be used as a security feature for authentication of an object.

Abstract: A printed image is disclosed wherein the image may be in the form of an array of magnetically aligned platelets or flakes that may by uniform in shape and size and wherein the flakes are arranged in a particularly manner to form optically illusive images useful as security devices, or useful in beam steering applications. In one embodiment of this invention printed array is disclosed a plurality of concentric rings of magnetically aligned platelets disposed upon a substrate in the form of a Fresnel structure, preferably a Fresnel reflector. Advantageously, since the magnetic field can be controlled with respect to strength and direction, one can easily design a field that will correct for spherical aberration that would otherwise be present in a typical Fresnel reflector. In other embodiments of the invention optically illusive images of funnels, domes and cones are printed.

Abstract: A thin film structure including a reflector layer; and a hybrid layer including an organic colored material and at least one of an organic filler and an inorganic filler; wherein a concentration of the at least one of an organic filler or an inorganic filler is in a range of from about 3 wt. % to about 30 wt. %. A method of making a thin film structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A particle including a core particle; and a vapor deposited colorant including an organic colored material that encapsulates the core particle. The particle can be a special effect pigment or a thin film interference pigment. Methods of making the particle are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optically variable device may be manufactured by aligning magnetic flakes on a surface of an adhesive layer by applying the flakes onto the adhesive layer surface in presence of a magnetic field, and curing the adhesive layer having magnetic flakes adhered to the adhesive layer. When cured, the adhesive layer holds the magnetic flakes oriented, enabling subsequent encapsulation of the oriented magnetic flakes in a coating layer on the adhesive layer, without a substantial loss of orientation of the magnetic flakes.

Abstract: A diffractive pigment blend or composition is provided which includes a plurality of groups of all-dielectric diffractive pigment flakes. The pigment flakes of each group each include one or more dielectric layers for providing a background color, at least one of which includes a diffractive structure for providing a diffractive effect. Each group of pigment flakes provides a different diffractive effect, and the diffractive pigment blend or composition provides a combined diffractive effect that is a combination of the different diffractive effects. The combined diffractive effect may be a neutral white diffractive effect or may include a reversal in color travel.

Abstract: An optically variable device may be manufactured by aligning magnetic flakes on a surface of an adhesive layer by applying the flakes onto the adhesive layer surface in presence of a magnetic field, and curing the adhesive layer having magnetic flakes adhered to the adhesive layer. When cured, the adhesive layer holds the magnetic flakes oriented, enabling subsequent encapsulation of the oriented magnetic flakes in a coating layer on the adhesive layer, without a substantial loss of orientation of the magnetic flakes.

Abstract: Microstructured pigments include a dielectric core having a diffraction grating. The microstructured dielectric core is encapsulated with one or more encapsulation layers which are deposited using chemical vapor deposition in a fluidized bed. The fluidizing conditions allow for providing uniform and highly-conforming encapsulation layers.