LECs - Light Emitting Coatings
Addressing new Markets like Protecting Parts against Plagiarism, Sensory Elements and others
Michael Lehmann, Fabian Trenkle, Sven Hartmann
obz innovation gmbh, Bad Krozingen, Germany
info@obz-innovation.de, +49 7633 90899-0
Abstract
Light emitting ceramic particles using the anti stokes effect can be produced with characteristic optical properties. Irradiated by an IR-Laser and analyzed with an optical system [1], these particles can be used for example, if embedded in components, as a wear indicator or to fight against plagiarism by marking a product as an original. obz innovation gmbh has developed light emitting coatings (LECs) by successfully integrating these marking particles into thermal sprayed coatings, using e.g. cold spray and HVOF technologies.
These LECs will address completely new markets and different fields of applications. Almost every component can be quickly marked. Through customer specific markers an original part can be clearly identified with “obz fingerprint” LECs. This offers a simple solution for a major problem of plagiarism, secure verification of original parts. Further fields of applications can be found by using “obz sensor” LECs as a sensory element. This allows, e.g. for wear resistant coatings, signalizing the end of lifetime. For marking and optical analysis only small areas are necessary. Thus, only a few additional resources for an effective plagiarism protection or sensory elements are required.
Relevant products for such LECs can be found e.g. in safety, high priced and quality critical markets like automotive-, medical-, bearings-, pump industries and many others. Figure 1 shows a light emitting cold sprayed copper coating and an insulated alumina coating in the visible range of light, once irradiated with an IR laser spot.
References
[1]:http://www.polysecure.eu/produktmarkerloesung/technologie/
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