Films having switchable reflectivity
AssigneeKorea University Research and Business Foundation
InventorsKwangyeol LEE, Donghoon CHOI
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions, structures and methods that relate to films having switchable reflectivity and anti-reflectivity depending on ambient conditions, such as temperature. A film with switchable reflectivity and anti-reflectivity includes a nanostructured first layer having nanopillars associated with nanowells. A hydrogel occupies at least a portion of the nanowells. As the hydrogel moves from a dehydrated state to a hydrated state, the surface of the film switches from being reflective to being anti-reflective in a repeatable and reversible process.
Claims21
A method for making a film, the method comprising:
- providing a nanostructured first layer having a plurality of nanopillars defining a plurality of nanowells;
- at least partially filling the plurality of nanowells with a hydrogel;
- selecting a volume of the plurality of nanowells and the hydrogel to cooperatively cause the hydrogel to switch between an anti-reflective state and a reflective state in response to a temperature change;
- wherein:
- in the anti-reflective state, the hydrogel extends beyond the plurality of nanopillars to provide a substantially anti-reflective surface;
- and
- in the reflective state, the plurality of nanowells are substantially filled with the hydrogel to a sufficient level to form a substantially flat reflective surface.
A method for making a film, the method comprising:
- providing a nanostructured first layer having a plurality of nanopillars that define a plurality of nanowells, the nanostructured first layer including a first surface from which the plurality of nanowells inwardly extend;
- at least partially filling the plurality of nanowells with a hydrogel;
- and
- selecting a volume of the plurality of nanowells and the hydrogel to cooperatively cause the hydrogel to switch between an anti-reflective state and a reflective state in response to a temperature change;
- wherein:
- in the anti-reflective state, the hydrogel extends beyond the first surface of the nanostructured first layer to provide a substantially non-planar anti-reflective surface;
- and
- in the reflective state, the plurality of nanowells are substantially filled with the hydrogel to a sufficient level to form a substantially flat reflective surface.
A method for making a film, the method comprising:
- forming a nanostructured first layer having a plurality of nanopillars defining a plurality of nanowells, the nanostructured first layer including a first surface from which the plurality of nanowells inwardly extend;
- at least partially filling the plurality of nanowells with a hydrogel;
- and
- selecting a volume of the plurality of nanowells and the hydrogel to cooperatively cause the hydrogel to switch between an anti-reflective state and a reflective state in response to a temperature change;
- wherein:
- in the anti-reflective state, the hydrogel is in a substantially fully hydrated state and extends beyond the first surface of the nanostructured first layer to form a substantially anti-reflective surface defined by the nanostructured first layer and the hydrogel, and further wherein the anti-reflective surface includes a non-planar surface comprised of raised hydrogel regions defined by the nanowells and depressed regions defined by the nanopillars;
- and
- in the reflective state, the hydrogel is in a substantially fully dehydrated state that is substantially level with the first surface to form a substantially flat reflective surface.
A method for making a film, the method comprising:
- providing a nanostructured first layer having a plurality of nanopillars defining a plurality of nanowells;
- at least partially filling the plurality of nanowells with a hydrogel;
- and
- selecting a volume of the plurality of nanowells and the hydrogel to cooperatively cause the hydrogel to switch between an anti-reflective state and a reflective state in response to a temperature change;
- wherein:
- in the anti-reflective state, the hydrogel and the plurality of nanopillars cooperatively provide a substantially anti-reflective surface;
- and
- in the reflective state, the plurality of nanowells are substantially filled with the hydrogel to a sufficient level to form a substantially flat reflective surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.