A Butterfly and an Idea

Many Morpho butterfly species have shimmering irridescent wings. However, the Blue Morpho do not have pigment in the top sides of their wings. The blue color results from multiple layers of super-fine, transparent overlapping scales, each reflecting blue wavelengths of light in such a way that the reflection light waves are combined and intensified. The shimmer effect occurs because the angles of light reflection for each layer are constantly changing.

The way light reflects from Blue Morpho wings provided the inspiration for Multilayer Optical Film (MOF) technology. 3M scientists speculated that if they could assemble several super-thin sheets of polymer material, one on top of another, with each layer formulated to reject a different undesirable wavelength of UV or infrared solar radiation, they could create a clear film that lets visible light pass through but rejects ultraviolet light and infrared solar energy.

It worked. And not just for window film. 3M’s MOF technology is protected by some 60 patents and has found applications in fields as diverse as medical technology and computer display manufacturing.

As for window film, 3M’s revolutionary new Prestige Window Films use MOF technology. These films require advanced nanotechnology manufacturing techniques: A window film containing 240 to 300 micro-layers is about half as thick as one of 3M’s famous Post-It® notes. Best of all, clear Prestige Window Films actually reflect less visible light than the window glass they are applied to.

These amazing window films also provide superior energy efficiency, rejecting up to 97 percent of infrared wavelengths to keep interior areas cool and reduce electric bills.

3M Prestige Window Films also block almost all of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, the single largest cause of fading. And because Prestige films contain no metals, they will not interfere with WI-FI networks or other wireless communications.

A special version of the Prestige line adds safety and security features.

Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke famously wrote that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

Few would argue that Clarke’s statement certainly applies to 3M Multilayer Optical Film technology.

And it all started with a butterfly.

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