Seeking A Technology To Diffuse Light Homogeneously On A 3D Panel

• A manufacturing process
• A material
• A technology

A SpecialChem Client is looking for a technology that diffuses incoming light homogeneously throughout the surface of a panel.

There is a growing need for improving and increasing ambient and decorating lighting within the automotive interior. At the same time, there is also a growing need to use lights (especially color changing) as a way to remind or alert driver the potential dangers that might impact the drivers and passengers. For automotive interior, there are many surfaces that potentially can be converted from an inactive surface into a functional surface that will communicate with the driver for safety reasons; or increase the aesthetic or the surface from a monotonic color panel into a vivid color panel that will brighten the driver or passengers’ moods.

However, the current throughput of light is not homogeneous throughout the panel. This is due to the source of light being localized on one side of the panel.

The SpecialChem Client needs a technology that will allow them to mold panels which once connected to a color changing light system will change the entire surface color homogeneously with the embedded light sources.

A decorative panel that can be molded with a passive layer that can either transmit light through the edge attached LED and other light sources. The challenge is to go through injection process used in the common manufacturing process of the automotive industry:

• Pressure up to 1200 bar
• Temperature up to 300 °C

Passive light guide film or layer.

Organic LED and Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs).

Technologies that still are in the academic research stage or still within the proof of concept and prototyping stage will need a very long time to reach commercial stage will not fit the timeframe and will not be considered.

• Ready-to-use solutions
• Partners

• Industry: Automotive
• Annual Revenue: $Billion
• Years in Business: More than 30 years
• Headquarters Area: NA & China

• Licensing
• Joint-venture
• Buying