New Inorganic Near-Perfect Vibrant Blue Pigment

It’s nice when sometimes things come together quite by accident and lead to a new discovery. Such was the case for Oregon State University Research Fellow Mas Subramanian and his team.  In researching new materials for electronic applications, they were combining magnesium oxide (black) with various other chemicals and heating to nearly 2,000 °F.  One of the mixtures turned out to be a vivid blue – and the rest is history as they say.

They soon realized that this material could be used as a blue pigment. It has a crystal structure that allows the magnesium to absorb red and green wavelengths and only reflect blue.  Subsequent testing has shown the new blue pigment is extremely stable in all media and the color does not fade. In today’s environment, perhaps one of its most important attributes is that it is completely non-toxic. 

There are obviously all sorts of applications for coatings and plastics including keeping buildings and roofs cool by reflecting infrared light.  The energy saving applications are a nice plus, in addition to a very stable, vivid, new blue pigment.

OSU has reached an exclusive licensing agreement for the pigment, which is known as “YInMn” blue, with The Shepherd Color Company. It will be used in a wide range of coatings and plastics.
In the scientific world we have had many “accidental” discoveries such as Teflon (DuPont), “Bakelite”, the world’s first plastic discovered by a Belgian chemist looking for a replacement for shellac, vulcanized rubber (Goodyear), the microwave oven, and the list goes on. I know that there have been other “accidental” discoveries in our industry.  Let’s hear from you – our readers out there – and share some of these good stories.  

Darlene