# US 11,305,252 B2 · System, method, and apparatus relating to colloidosomes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,252 B2 - Document ID: US11305252B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/757,972 - Filed: 2018-10-24 - Published: 2020-09-17 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-26 - Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC; Carnegie Mellon University - Applicants: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC; Carnegie Mellon University - Inventors: Christine A Orme; Sarah Baker; Yixuan Yu; Shelley L Anna; Charles Sharkey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305252B2 ## CPC - B01J 13/08: Simple coacervation, i.e. addition of highly hydrophilic material {(combined with spraying B01J13/043; combined with mechanical division B01J13/04)} - B01J 13/04: by physical processes, e.g. drying, spraying - B01J 13/206: {Hardening; drying} - B01J 23/83: with rare earths or actinides - B01J 35/23: in a colloidal state - B01J 35/45: Nanoparticles - B01J 35/615: {100-500 m2/g} - B01J 37/0009: {Use of binding agents; Moulding; Pressing; Powdering; Granulating; Addition of materials ameliorating the mechanical properties of the product catalyst} - B01J 37/0072: {Preparation of particles, e.g. dispersion of droplets in an oil bath} - B01J 37/009: {Preparation by separation, e.g. by filtration, decantation, screening} - B01J 37/342: {of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields, e.g. for magnetic separation} - C01G 51/70: containing rare earths, e.g. LaCoO3 (C01G51/68 takes precedence) - B01J 2523/00: Constitutive chemical elements of heterogeneous catalysts - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - C01G: COMPOUNDS CONTAINING METALS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C01D OR C01F (metal hydrides {monoborane, diborane or addition complexes thereof} C01B6/00; salts of oxyacids of halogens C01B11/00; peroxides, salts or peroxyacids C01B15/00; thiosulfates, dithionites, polythionates C01B17/64; compounds containing selenium, or tellurium C01B19/00; binary compounds of nitrogen with metals C01B21/06; azides C01B21/08; {compounds containing nitrogen, other non-metals and metal C01B21/082}; metal amides C01B21/092; nitrites C01B21/50; {compounds of noble gases C01B23/0005}; phosphides C01B25/08; salts of oxyacids of phosphorus C01B25/16; carbides C01B32/90; compounds containing silicon C01B33/00; compounds containing boron C01B35/00; compounds having molecular sieve properties but not having base-exchange properties C01B37/00; compounds having molecular sieve and base-exchange properties, e.g. crystalline zeolites, C01B39/00; cyanides C01C3/08; salts of cyanamide C01C3/16; thiocyanates C01C3/20) ## Abstract An ultra low density film and an ultra low density solid material are produced by the steps of providing a vessel, introducing two immiscible fluids into the vessel, adding nanocrystals to at least one of the two immiscible fluids, applying a shear force to the two immiscible fluids and the nanocrystals in a manner that causes the nanocrystals to self-assemble and form colloidosomes. The colloidosomes amass and evaporation of the two fluids produces dried colloidosomes. The ultra low density self-assembled colloidosomes are hollow self-assembled colloidosomes, which are formed into the ultra-low density film and the ultra-low density solid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a film or a solid material, comprising the steps of: providing a vessel having a vessel lower portion oriented and aligned with gravity, providing a surface in said vessel lower portion, introducing two immiscible fluids into said vessel, nanocrystals contained in at least one of said two immiscible fluids, applying a shear force to said two immiscible fluids and said nanocrystals in a manner that causes said nanocrystals to self-assemble and form colloidosomes, and evaporating or removing said two immiscible fluids enabling said colloidosomes to amass on said surface in said vessel lower portion to produce dried colloidosomes and make the film or the solid material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said vessel lower portion is oriented with gravity aligned to said lower portion allowing said colloidosomes to amass in said lower portion of said vessel on said surface in said vessel lower portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said step of providing a surface in said vessel lower portion comprises providing a substrate with said surface in said vessel lower portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said step of removing said two immiscible fluids to produce dried colloidosomes comprises allowing evaporation of said two immiscible fluids to produce dried colloidosomes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said two immiscible fluids are oil and water. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said two immiscible fluids are hexane and methanol. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said nanocrystals are metal nanocrystals. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said nanocrystals are oxide nanocrystals. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said nanocrystals are organic nanocrystals. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said nanocrystals are nanocrystals composed of oxides, metals, semiconductors, and organics, and combinations of oxides, metals, semiconductors, and organics. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said step of evaporating or removing said two immiscible fluids enabling said colloidosomes to amass comprises enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form a single layer of colloidosomes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said step of evaporating or removing said two immiscible fluids enabling said colloidosomes to amass comprises enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form multiple layers of colloidosomes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 1 wherein said nanocrystals contained in at least one of said two immiscible fluids are obtained by adding nanocrystals of a first material to at least one of said two immiscible fluids and adding nanocrystals of a second material to at least one of said two immiscible fluids wherein said first material and said second material are different materials and wherein said dried colloidosomes include both nanocrystals of a first material and nanocrystals of a second material. ### Claim 14 A method of making a film or a solid material, comprising the steps of: providing a vessel; providing a stabilized emulsion, wherein said step of providing a stabilized emulsion includes providing two immiscible fluids with nanocrystals in at least one of said two immiscible fluids, applying a shear force to said two immiscible fluids and said nanocrystals in a manner that causes said nanocrystals to self-assemble and form colloidosomes; providing said stabilized emulsion in said vessel; providing a first electrode in said vessel; providing a second electrode in said vessel; providing a power source connected to said first electrode and connected to said second electrode; energizing said first electrode and said second electrode using said power source to charge said colloidosomes causing said colloidosomes to migrate to said first electrode and produce a colloidosomes accumulate on said first electrode; enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form a colloidosomes structure on said first electrode, and removing said colloidosomes structure from said first electrode to produce dried colloidosomes and make the film or the solid material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 14 wherein said step of enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form a colloidosomes structure on said first electrode comprises enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form a single layer of colloidosomes on said first electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 14 wherein said step of enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form a colloidosomes structure on said first electrode comprises enabling said colloidosomes to amass and form multiple layers of colloidosomes on said first electrode. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of making a film or a solid material of claim 14 wherein said step of providing two immiscible fluids with nanocrystals in at least one of said two immiscible fluids comprises providing two immiscible fluids with nanocrystals of a first material in at least one of said two immiscible fluids and providing two immiscible fluids with nanocrystals of a second material in at least one of said two immiscible fluids wherein said first material and said second material are different materials.