Stimuli Responsive Microsphere Composites
AssigneesSouth Dakota Board of Regents, Applied Research Center, Inc.
InventorsGrant A. Crawford, George G. Wicks, Forest Thompson
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Abstract
An event detection composite in embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of solid and/or hollow and/or porous-wall microspheres, (b) a functional material disposed on or within the plurality of microspheres, wherein the functional material can have unique optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, or chemical properties, where these properties can be realized upon the plurality of microspheres being exposed to a physical, optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or chemical stimuli, and (c) a host matrix containing the plurality of microspheres.
Claims25
An event detection composite, comprising:
- a plurality of solid and/or hollow and/or porous-wall microspheres;
- and
- a functional material disposed on or within the plurality of microspheres;
- wherein the functional material can have unique optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, or chemical properties, where these properties can be realized upon the plurality of microspheres being exposed to a physical, optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal or chemical stimuli.
An event detection system, comprising:
- a plurality of solid and/or hollow and/or porous-wall microspheres located within a host matrix;
- and
- a functional material incorporated with the plurality of microspheres;
- wherein the functional material will provide a unique indicator if any of the microspheres are fractured exposing the functional material or activated by external stimulus.
A method for creating event detection composite, comprising:
- providing a plurality of solid and/or hollow and/or porous-wall microspheres;
- and
- inserting a functional material having unique optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, or chemical properties within the plurality of microspheres, wherein the functional material will provide a unique indicator if any of the microspheres are fractured exposing the functional material or activated by external stimulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.