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Photochromic materials SHIRANUI

It is a photochromic material that develops color and emerges when exposed to ultraviolet rays (sunlight). Created based on the photochromic technology SunSensors™-MR™-8 for eyeglass lenses, it is used in fashion (costumes, fashion goods, accessories), miscellaneous goods (interior and smartphones), containers and packaging materials, printing inks, novelties, architectural decorative panels, and exhibitions. We provide an experiential value (User experience, UX) where you can enjoy color changes using ultraviolet light for various purposes such as decoration of conference booths.

What is photochromic dye?

It is one of the chromism phenomena in which the chemical structure changes due to external stimulation and the color development changes, and refers to the phenomenon that is expressed by light (photo). The color develops under ultraviolet light and returns to its original color after 3 to 5 minutes.

Concept What is SHIRANUI®?

A legendary light that flickers at the edge of the sea.

The people of ancient times named this mystery, ''Shiranui'', because the closer you get, the more you get further away.

It appears vaguely from nowhere, and before you know it, it emits bright colors...

Its fantastic texture is likened to a distant shiranui.

A quiet transformation of transparent plastic that changes color as it catches the light.

Please come and experience this atmosphere.

Technology/material name used

SHIRANUI®

The photochromic textiles, photochromic buttons, photochromic beads, and photochromic sunglasses that develop color and emerge when exposed to ultraviolet light (sunlight) are created based on the SunSensors™-MR™-8 photochromic technology for eyeglass lenses. Products other than the eyeglass lens field are referred to as "SHIRANUI®."

 

SunSensors™-MR™-8 is a photochromic lens brand from Mitsui Chemicals, which boasts the world's top market share as an eyeglass lens material.Although it is an in-mass type that incorporates dyestuff into the lens itself, it is a top-level photochromic lens brand. It is characterized by fast fading speed and long-lasting dimming performance compared to coated lenses.

 

MR™ lens material (urethane thermosetting monomer)

The highest quality optical plastic lens raw material developed by Mitsui Chemicals for the first time in the world. It has excellent optical properties such as transparency and high refractive index, is lightweight and has high strength, and boasts the world's number one share of eyeglass lens materials. We have brought numerous innovations to the design and function of eyeglasses, including thin and lightweight lenses for rimless frames, blue light-cutting lenses combined with dye technology, and photochromic lenses.

 

Related links

Application 1: Fashion materials (thermosetting resin cutting products)

Molding example SHIRANUI® button

This is a 7-piece package with buttons that change color when exposed to sunlight, temporarily fastened to postcard-sized paper. With photochromic technology, we deliver a colorful life to our customers.

  • Color variations: black, brown, red, blue, green, a la carte
  • Material: MR™ (high refractive index eyeglass lens material), SunSensors™ (photochromic dye)

Click here to purchase... MOLp® | ONLINE STORE (molpec.com)

(For bulk purchases or requests for arrangements, please contact us below.)

SHIRANUI® button - Transparent in the shade Transparent in the shade
SHIRANUI® button - Color develops in the sun Color develops in the sun

Applications and other forms/concept products [Developed products, items under market development]

We would like to create products other than SHIRANUI buttons while listening to customer requests.

 

Together with Sozai no Attraction Lab MOLp®, we use a variety of materials to propose a variety of conceptual designs and usage methods that go beyond mere color development.

 

Marble that encapsulates the coincidences created by nature, expressions of corporate logos, messages, and geometric patterns, upcycled items using waste materials such as eyeglass lenses, solid UV indicators that realize simple quantification of ultraviolet rays, etc.

* Includes concept products that are difficult to sample.

Accessories (earrings, etc.)

Corporate logo, message, geometric pattern (without UV)

Corporate logo, message, geometric patterns (when UV irradiated)

Marble Buttons

Photochromic textile(ANREALAGE A/W2023-24 Paris Collection “=”)

Presentations, literature, etc.

  • Automitive Engineering Exposition 2022 @ Yokohama/Nagoya Mitsui Chemicals Group special page (Yokohama/Nagoya)
  • 11th Plastic Japan Mitsui Chemicals Group Special Page
  • Material Stage Contribution (Development and application expansion of photochromic resin materials, new design-imparting materials that develop color under ultraviolet light) M. Yamada, H. Tsukada, Material Stage, Vol22, No.12, 2023, pp7-12.

* SHIRANUI and/or 不知火, SunSensors, MR, MOLp, MATERIUM, RePLAYER is a registered trademark of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Photochromic button SHIRANUI

  • Fashion (costumes, fashion goods, accessories)
  • Miscellaneous goods (interior, smartphone)
  • Container packaging material
  • Printing ink
  • Novelty
  • Architectural decorative panels
  • Exhibition booth decoration

Contact Us

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Advanced Chemicals Division