Method of forming a color-differentiated image utilizing a metastable aggregated group Ib metal colloid material
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsSidney J. Bertucci, Hugh S. A. Gilmour
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Abstract
An aggregated-Group Ib metal colloid is prepared, which may be used to form stable color-differentiated images, by the selective application of thermal energy thereto. The metal aggregates, when exposed to thermal energy, revert either to the unaggregated metal or to an aggregate of lesser dimension. This change induces a color change in the material, which is clearly visible against those areas not so exposed. The metal aggregates, when dispersed in a polymeric matrix, are stable in the absence of heat.
Claims14
An element for forming a color-differentiated image comprising a support having thereon a metastable aggregated-metal colloid comprised of discrete aggregations of particles of silver dispersed in a polymeric matrix, said aggregates having a color different from that of said particles in non-aggregated form, wherein said aggregates deaggregate to individual particles on the application of thermal energy to said aggregated-metal colloid.
A method of preparing a stable color-differentiated image, comprising selectively applying thermal energy to portions of a layer of an element comprising a support having thereon a metastable aggregated-metal colloid comprised of discrete aggregations of particles of silver dispersed in a polymeric matrix, said aggregates having a color different from that of said particles in non-aggregated form thereby causing the portions of said layer exposed to thermal energy to change color.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.