Building off of its previously developed ColorMod system, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) created PhotoChromeleon Ink, which allows the color or pattern of an object to be altered when exposed to UV light. While there are plenty of color-changing products on the market, this "reprogrammable ink" can be sprayed onto a variety of objects to change how they look.
After something like a phone, a shoe, a phone case or a toy has been treated with PhotoChromeleon Ink, it is placed in a box with a projector and UV light to activate and deactivate different colors. Once removed from the box, the colors maintain their appearance in natural light, yet they can be changed time and time again when exposed to UV light.
Dynamic Color-Changing Inks
MIT's PhotoChromeleon Ink Creates Customizable Objects
Trend Themes
1. Color-changing Objects - The development of reprogrammable ink opens up opportunities to create customizable objects with dynamic color-changing capabilities.
2. Uv-activated Inks - The use of UV light to activate and deactivate different colors on objects paves the way for innovative applications in various industries.
3. Personalized Product Experiences - The ability to alter the color or pattern of objects repeatedly offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for creating personalized product experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry can leverage reprogrammable ink to create color-changing smartphones, phone cases, and other gadgets for a unique user experience.
2. Footwear - Innovating within the footwear industry, UV-activated color-changing inks can be applied to shoes, offering consumers customizable and ever-changing designs.
3. Toys & Games - With the use of PhotoChromeleon Ink, the toys and games industry can introduce dynamic color-changing features in products, enhancing play experiences for children.