43-E: Labradorescent Dark-Ground Effect Pigments via Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

Part of Project 43 — Labrador: Exploring commercial and scientific applications of synthetic labradorescence

Overview

Proposes a new visual category of effect pigment: narrow-band, dark-ground structural colour particles that replicate the labradorescence phenomenon. This inverts the prevailing BCP research direction: low $\Delta n$ instead of high $\Delta n$.

Status

Item	Status
Stage	Scientific / Conceptual
BCP particle fabrication	Not demonstrated
Prototype	None
Seeking	BCP chemistry, particle fabrication, colour science, coatings

Key Idea

Existing colour-shifting pigments produce broad spectral travel and are always on. No commercial pigment replicates labradorite's dark-ground flash. BCP self-assembly in emulsion-confined particles at low $\Delta n$ may achieve this if 50--100+ bilayers can be reliably formed. The result would be a pigment that appears dark at most viewing angles and reveals a narrow-band colour flash only at specific geometries.

Target Applications (Conditional)

• Automotive effect coatings
• Cosmetics
• Luxury packaging
• Architectural finishes

Document

📄 43-E_Labradorescent_Pigments_Formatted.docx — Full collaboration whitepaper :bookmark_tabs: 43-E_Labradorescent_Pigments_Formatted.pdf — PDF export

Author

Aaron Garcia · Independent Researcher · aaron@garcia.ltd

Licence

This work is released under the MIT Licence.