Laser Activated transparent ink?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using a transparent ink that can be activated by heat or laser light for writing or drawing on various surfaces, particularly focusing on a project involving foam blocks and multi-layered photonic crystals. Participants explore potential materials and methods for achieving this effect.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the existence of a transparent ink that can be activated by laser light, suggesting a desire to coat surfaces and use a laser to reveal color.
  • Another participant references thermal paper as a common solution but notes that the original poster is looking for something different than paper.
  • Further clarification is sought regarding the application, with details provided about using foam blocks and the intention to soak them in a transparent solution before using a laser.
  • There is a suggestion to consider a standard inkjet printer setup, which is met with a response emphasizing the need for a specific laser printing method for a college project.
  • A participant proposes using dyes similar to those used in paper, which leads to a discussion about Polaroid ZINK technology as a potential solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best approach to achieve the desired effect, with no consensus reached on a specific solution or method. Multiple competing views remain regarding the type of ink or dye that could be used.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not settled on the specific characteristics required for the ink or dye, and there are unresolved questions about the interaction between the laser and the materials involved.

jjoll
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if there is any type of transparent ink that could be permanently activated by heat or intense light (laser).

Preferably I am planning to use a laser light to activate the ink.

I am trying to coat a piece of metal (or paper or etc.) with this ink (which is invisible). Then I want to write on the coating using a laser light. I am supposed to shine a laser beam to the coating in order to draw fine lines/drawings. The laser beam is supposed to activate the ink (reveal its color) as it pass through. The laser is supposed to activate the color of the ink and lock it (meaning, the color is supposed to stay on coating after laser has passes through).

I was just wondering if this is possible and if there is an ink with this kind of characteristic or if I can modify an ordinary ink to behave like this.

Thanks
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
jjoll said:
Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if there is any type of transparent ink that could be permanently activated by heat or intense light (laser).

Preferably I am planning to use a laser light to activate the ink.

I am trying to coat a piece of metal (or paper or etc.) with this ink (which is invisible). Then I want to write on the coating using a laser light. I am supposed to shine a laser beam to the coating in order to draw fine lines/drawings. The laser beam is supposed to activate the ink (reveal its color) as it pass through. The laser is supposed to activate the color of the ink and lock it (meaning, the color is supposed to stay on coating after laser has passes through).

I was just wondering if this is possible and if there is an ink with this kind of characteristic or if I can modify an ordinary ink to behave like this.

Thanks
Can you describe the application?
 
berkeman said:
Can you describe the application?
We have these white hard blocks of foams. Something like these ones:

http://www.cdxghm.com/View_en.aspx?id=123

The idea is to soak the surface of these blocks into our transparent solution (ink/dye + etc) and then use a laser to write/draw on the surface of these blocks and then let them dry.
 
jjoll said:
We have these white hard blocks of foams. Something like these ones:

http://www.cdxghm.com/View_en.aspx?id=123

The idea is to soak the surface of these blocks into our transparent solution (ink/dye + etc) and then use a laser to write/draw on the surface of these blocks and then let them dry.
Why not just use a standard ink jet printer setup?
 
berkeman said:
Why not just use a standard ink jet printer setup?
well let me be more precise. I am working on a college project and directly drawing on the foams is not exactly the point of this project. I am trying to develop a laser printing method in order to use on a sheet of multi-layered photonic crystal. I am going to use these foams to demonstrate a proof of concept to my prof. Imagine these foams to be covered with a thick plastic cover similar to:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L27EPD8/?tag=pfamazon01-20
and we want our laser to go past through this layer and hit the sponge sheet. and write on the foam without damaging the top plastic layer.
I am coming up with these scenarios as I am writing this now. But what I am actually working on is: a sheet of polymer based paper that is made of 4 layers and I am trying to write/engrave on the surface of second layer so the plan is to some how inject the solution to the second layer and then emit the laser from the top (laser is supposed to go past first layer) and then write on the surface of second layer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jjoll said:
I need a solution (dye/ink/...). Paper is not what I am looking for. thanks
Can't you use the same kind of dyes they use for the paper?
 
DrClaude said:
Can't you use the same kind of dyes they use for the paper?
hmm this is really interesting idea. From the wikipedia link that you gave me, I read something about Polaroid ZINK that is used on the thermal papers. this might work. I need to think about this more. thanks
 

Similar threads

Undergrad How is IR ink able to be seen with specialized filters?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Undergrad What exactly is the thermal lens effect?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
12K
High School How to build a simple polarization filter
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Graduate Polarisation rotation in Rb vapour cell due to laser light with sweeping frequency
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Light Transmission Through Half-Hollow Sphere
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Design of a Laser beam polarization rotation apparatus
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How does reflective photoelasticity work on transparent glass?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Question re electrochemical marking of stainless steel
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
HW Question regarding double-slit interference
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Graduate What is causing a green light to appear when shining a UV laser through glass?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K