Stimuli-responsive micro-reservoirs for release of encapsulants
AssigneeNanotechnologies, Inc.
InventorsSumedh Surwade, Kalpana Madgula
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to polymer-based partially-open, hollow reservoirs in the nano-size to micro-size range that encapsulate an additive, which can be released from the reservoirs using specific event stimuli such as reduction-oxidation and voltage change, or at will, using the same stimuli. This invention also relates to method preparing such reservoirs, and for releasing the additive. This invention further relates to matrix that comprises such reservoirs and the method of preparing such matrix. This invention also relates to applications, for example in corrosion inhibition, lubrication, and adhesion, that benefit from using such a controlled release of an additive.
Claims27
A plurality of partially-open, hollow reservoirs
- comprising at least one encapsulant;
- a polymer comprising at least one conducting polymer;
- wherein the plurality of partially-open, hollow reservoirs have at least one opening on their surface, such that the average opening area, in the aggregate, of said plurality of partially-open, hollow reservoirs is from about 0.25% to about 50% of the surface area in the aggregate of said plurality of partially-open, hollow reservoirs;
- wherein the average size of said plurality of partially-open, hollow reservoirs is in the range of from about 200 nm to about 10,000 nm;
- wherein said at least one encapsulant releasably resides within said plurality of partially-open, hollow reservoirs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.