When subjected to fire, Reddex chars and burns at a slower rate than other fire retardants. Eventually it transforms into a bound inorganic porous structure that has a low thermal conductivity and good mechanical rigidity, providing good insulating and structural properties. It contains no ignition resistant additives such as halogen, sulfur, or phosphor, so no toxic gas is released—only water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Contact: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Helicone HC effect pigments are transparent platelets that exhibit no color on their own, but when used over, or in combination with, other more common colorants, exhibit a novel color transition effect. They also provide extreme visual depth and a deep metallic-like sparkle, resulting in a truly exceptional three-dimensional appearance.

The polymeric platelets are highly versatile and show a superior dispersability in either water- or solvent-based coatings. Their low specific gravity leads to minimal settling. Furthermore, their elasticity and exceptional shear force resistance allow the Helicone HC effect pigments to be easily formulated into the melt mix in powder coatings, or extruded into plastics. They are nontoxic and contain no heavy metals.

Contact: LCP Technology GmbH, Burghausen, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

A team of scientists under Dr. Wilhelm Barthlott at the University of Bonn discovered the so-called “lotus effect” by learning from nature’s model. The Lotusan facade paint is the first successful practical application of the lotus effect, and about four million square meters of facade surfacing have since been coated with Lotusan paint.

Contact: Sto AG, Stühlingen, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Contact: UV/FX Scenic Productions, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Reversacol can be added to plastics, inks and coatings, and applications including, but not limited to, ophthalmic photochromic lenses and sunglasses, security inks and coatings for passports and brand protection, perfume and cosmetic packaging, optical switches, mobile phone covers, ski and sportswear, and nail varnish.

Reversacol photochromics can be combined with a wide range of special-effect colorants, such as light angle–dependent interference pigments, thermochromics, liquid crystals, and permanent dyes to produce unusual photochromic effects.

Contact: James Robinson Ltd., West Yorkshire, UK.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Contact: Robin Reigi, New York, NY.
Find more information in Transmaterial 2.

Thermochromic Inks come in three standard temperatures: 15C (Low temp), 31C (Body temp) and 45C (High temp). The ‘Low Temperature’ ink is used for applications in the refrigeration temperature range, like beverage labels. ‘Body Temperature’ ink is designed to show color at normal room temperature and to change when rubbed with the finger or by breathing on it. It is used on documents and security packaging. The ‘High Temperature’ formulation changes color just below the pain threshold temperature for skin, and is used on safety labels and hot beverage labels.

Photochromic Inks are invisible unless UV light, e.g. sunlight, hits them. Once UV light hits the ink, it blooms into color. This special brand of ink is great for everything from high-security documents and products to interactive advertising and direct mail pieces. With photochromics, no special techniques are needed to hide an image; the image is colorless until it is taken outside into sunlight or placed under UV lighting.

Glow-in-the-Dark (GID) inks are not a new concept. CTI has taken traditional GID inks to the next level by inventing Flexographic and Offset inks. There are thousands of safety applications for these inks, and even more promotional ideas. By using high speed printing methods, this very popular special effect can be added at a very low incremental cost.

Contact: Chromatic Technologies, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO.

Scratch Shield contains a newly developed high elastic resin that helps prevent scratches from affecting the inner layers of a car’s painted surface. With Scratch Shield a car’s scratched surface will return to its original state anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch.

The water-repellent paint also has a higher resistance to scratches compared with conventional clear paints. A vehicle painted with Scratch Shield will have only one-fifth the abrasions caused by a car-washing machine compared with a car covered with conventional clear paint. Scratches from car-washing machines account for the majority of scratches to painted car surfaces.

Scratch Shield is effective for about three years.

Contact: Nissan, Tokyo, Japan.

The key to the nickel and phosphorous coating’s blackness is that its surface is pitted with microscopic craters. “Super-black” is especially effective at absorbing light which hits it at an angle. With the light source at right angles, the coating reflects less than 0.35%. Black paint reflects about 2.5% – seven times more.

One of the early applications might be on star-trackers, navigational aids which help spacecraft stay on course by fixing on pinpricks of light in the heavens. The material could also be used in works of art. NPL says several artists have shown an interest.

Nigel Fox, who heads the optics group at NPL, said: “When you look at the black, it is an incredibly beautiful surface. It’s like black velvet.” [via Ananova]

Contact: National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, UK.