Todd, William J.
Date Posted: 3/5/2002
Patent Status: issued
Patent Number: 6,136,044
Abstract:
Micro-particles of transition metals or their compounds can be generated as an integral part of a fiber by first attaching a nucleating agent to the fiber, and then adding a solution of metal ions. The ions are reduced by the nucleating agent in the fiber, and micro-particles are generated in or on the fiber. Because of the strong color signal resulting from a low concentration of metal micro-particles, the method is cost effective even when using gold or titanium ions. Various colors were generated by changing the size and spacing of the micro-particles, the metal or metal complex used, and the characteristics of the fiber. The dyed fibers displayed colors ranging from pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, peach, brown, gold, silver, grey, green, and black. These colors resisted bleaching by either chemicals or light.