Smart Colour · Remotely Adjustable Structural Plasmonic Colour
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-07-01 → 2018-06-30
- EU contribution
- €212,195
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
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Results in brief
Remotely Adjustable Structural Plasmonic Colour
In this project, we developed a tunable plasmonic and non-plasmonic structural colour. The structural colour realized in this project was based on two geometries and materials. The first one was made of arrangement of periodic nano hole arrays perforated to the silicon wafer. It was found that changing the geometry of the holes and their 2D arrangement induces colour change. The second geometry was made of polymeric posts with circular or rectangular shape in which a thin metal layer was was deposited. There, changing the pitch of the polymeric posts, thickness of the metals and size of the posts enables colour adjustability. In contrary to the pigment based colorant, the developed structural colour is robust, non-toxic, durable and ultimately can be used in high resolution printing beyond the capability of ink-base printers. The developed structural colour can be used as a sustainable and environmental friendly alternative for counterfeit application, sub-diffraction optical sensor and decorative coating. Examples of the results are attached as images to the report. The overall objective of furthering the fellows career has been fulfilled, since I have been employed as Assistant Professor at Durham University, UK.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
In the Smart Colour project, I aim to develop the first remotely adjustable plasmonic structural colour surface, where the colour appearance can be changed reversibly by photo-thermal actuation. I will achieve this by applying a combination of plasmonic nanostructures and phase changeable materials. Smart plasmonic colouration can be used in rewritable optical data recording systems, display devices and consumer goods in general where the consumer will be able to change the colour of a given product according to his/her will. For centuries, pigments have been the main colorant agents. However, pigments are environmentally hazardous, rarely recyclable and instable due to photobleaching. Plasmonic structural colours are instead robust and sustainable. Despite enormous efforts in this evolving field, development of tunable structural colouring, similar to camouflaging in animals, remains a challenge. I will address this challenge by exploiting the heat generated in plasmonic materials under resonant absorption of light – external stimuli - to actuate phase changeable materials, such as tungsten doped Vanadium dioxide (VO2-W). The heat can transform VO2-W from a semiconductor to a metallic state and shift the plasmon resonance of the nanostructures. The resulting resonance-shift changes the appearance (colour) of the surface. The realization of this ambitious project will increase the European competence in nano-optics and pave the way for new applications of plasmonic materials. The multidisciplinary nature of the project, involving physics, materials science and engineering gives me a great opportunity to learn new skills such as optical simulation, nano-photonics and hands-on-experience in electron beam lithography and nano-structuring. Moreover, it will be a great chance for me to practice management of a research project. Therefore, it will leverage my capabilities and skills to establish my own leading independent research group following this fellowship.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyCoordinatorDenmark
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union