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R&D Focus

mPaint Displays a Dazzling, Permanent Paint

Video of mPaint.

ITRI’s mPaint technology effectively marks the surface of metallic objects with text, patterns, or both. mPaint uses laser pulses to apply controlled energy to the spot on the surface of the target metal object where the marking is desired. The laser effectively oxidizes known element(s) on and within a shallow depth of the surface of the metallic object, normally an alloy. With proper control, the element becomes oxidized by the energy delivered by the laser and the color of the object changes accordingly. It can also be used for ornamental applications such as creating interesting patterns for aesthetic purposes. mPaint causes oxidation on the metal surface so that the oxides can be used to identify the presence of specific elements in the metal. This becomes a practical and easy means to identify and analyze specific metallic elements in an alloy.

One of mPaint’s main applications is durable marking on the surface of metallic structures. When it comes to placing markings on the surface of metallic objects, either small ones like kitchenware or large ones like steel structures, creating markings that endure has always been an issue. Paints can be used, but they do not last long on outdoor steel structures. ITRI’s mPaint technology, in comparison, is much more permanent. The markings are the result of oxidation of certain alloy component or components present inside the body of the metal object. The oxides bonding to the atoms within the bulk of the metal are much more durable than paints or stickers and make ideal markings. mPaint can be useful for aesthetic applications such as painting on a metal surface for ornamental purposes – for example painting on the external metal skin of kitchenware, railway coaches, aircraft, and so on.

Colored patterns generated on stainless steel using mPaint display their distinguishing brightness and clarity, which is useful for authenticating a genuine product.

Colored patterns generated on stainless steel using mPaint display their distinguishing brightness and clarity, which is useful for authenticating a genuine product.

As mentioned previously, another benefit of mPaint is its superior detection of specific components in metal alloy. It is often important to ascertain exactly what metallic elements a metal object is made out of. There are other ways to identify this, but they require sophisticated and expensive spectrometers and inspection of samples taken out of the target object in a laboratory. In contrast, laser pulses used by mPaint can be tuned to the desired frequency and energy so that specific chemical elements that are present in the target can be oxidized. Presence of an element that must be found in an alloy can be confirmed if its oxide can be detected through its specific color enhancement. Conversely, if there is any undesirable element in the metal alloy, its presence can also be screened out by mPaint.

mPaint has durability and richness in color that ensures product authenticity and product quality. It is also environmentally friendly because compared to non-laser markings, mPaint uses no chemicals. mPaint utilizes a clever pairing of dual laser beams to provide a versatile, superior alternative to paint for marking metallic surfaces.