G2 Industrial Engineering Unveils Advanced Reflex Reflector with Micro-optics

G2 Industrial Engineering is pleased to announce the development of an innovative Reflex Reflector leveraging advanced micro-optics technology. Conducted in collaboration with JOANNEUM RESEARCH, this pioneering project marks a significant advancement in retroreflective optical systems.

G² Industrial Engineering is an Austrian company with locations in Stegersbach, Vienna, and Steyr. The core focus is on the development of systems for both the interior and exterior of vehicles. Another key area of expertise is automotive lighting development, providing innovative solutions to meet industry demands.

The primary objective was to create a highly efficient retroreflector, mostly for automotive application, capable of redirecting incident light predominantly back toward its source at small angles of incidence. This functionality was achieved through the periodic arrangement of pyramid-structured reflectors, each composed of three surfaces meeting at right angles. The project focused on the design, simulation, and fabrication of a micro structured surface covering an area of 1 cm², with individual microstructures reaching a maximum height of 30 µm.

Extensive research and development efforts have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating these micro-optical structures using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. The origination process employs maskless grayscale laser lithography in a photosensitive resin, followed by creation of a durable nickel-coated master, which serves as an inverted structure for replication (see Picture 1). Replication of the structures was performed using UV imprint technology, ensuring high precision and reproducibility.

The feasibility study confirmed the anticipated optical performance of the micro structured retroreflector through both simulation and fabrication trials. However, deviations in optical performance were observed, primarily due to uncalibrated manufacturing parameters. Despite this, the core retroreflective functionality was successfully validated through simulation, providing a solid foundation for further development and optimization.

Building on these results, G² Industrial Engineering is now transitioning towards industrial-scale production of micro-optical retroreflector units. To facilitate this transition, strategic partnerships with key industry suppliers have been established, emphasizing consistent optical performance and high-precision replication.

Future initiatives will include investment planning for tooling and production infrastructure, as well as the qualification and certification of the technology for industrial applications.