Orientation-controlled plasmonic nanoparticle optical coatings
This technology is a method for building thin films where metallic nanoparticles—particles small enough to interact with light at the nanoscale—are stacked in precise, controlled arrangements between insulating layers. By depositing two distinct nanoparticle layers, one with particles lying flat and one with particles pointing in random directions, engineers can tune how the material interacts with light across different angles and wavelengths. The result is a composite optical material whose light-manipulating properties can be engineered by design rather than left to chance. Think of it as a recipe for making optically active coatings with predictable, programmable behavior.
What you could build
An optically functional coating or film for lenses, waveguides, or display components that selectively absorbs, reflects, or redirects specific wavelengths of light; target buyers would be optical component manufacturers, photonics device makers, and specialty coatings suppliers serving defense sensors or consumer optics.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and intelligence contractors in Northern Virginia (e.g., those working on optical sensors or electro-optic systems) and photonics-adjacent companies in the Richmond or Hampton Roads corridors would have plausible interest.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Guoliang Liu, Assad U. Khan
- Granted
- July 15, 2025
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12360315
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.