Color temperature indicator
AssigneesJoseph W. Stucki, Jun Wu, Yaomin Xia
InventorsJun Wu, Yaomin Xia, Joseph W. Stucki
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Abstract
The invention relates to temperature indicating compositions which display temperature dependent color changes. The invention encompasses temperature indicating compositions, materials, devices and methods of their use. The temperature indicating compositions of the invention are clays that can be used to detect temperature and temperature changes at sub-ambient and particularly sub-zero ° C. temperatures. Temperature of a selected environment can be monitored by placing a temperature-sensitive composition comprising the clay material of this invention in contact with that environment and monitoring the color of the composition.
Claims46
A temperature indicator comprising a temperature-indicating clay that changes color at temperatures from between about 0° C. to about −270° C. and a carrier wherein the temperature-indicating clay is adhered to, impregnated in or coated on said carrier.
A method of detecting temperature comprising the steps of (a) contacting a temperature indicating material or device comprising a temperature indicating clay with an environment, and (b) determining the color of the temperature indicating material or device;
- whereby the temperature of the environment is correlated to the color of the material or device.
A method of detecting temperature change comprising the steps of (a) contacting a temperature indicating material or device comprising a temperature-indicating clay with an environment, (b) determining the color of the temperature indicating material or device when it is in thermal equilibrium with the environment, and (c) monitoring the color of the temperature indicating material or device for color change;
- whereby a temperature change is detected when the color of the temperature indicating material or device changes.
A kit for determining the temperature of an environment which comprises a temperature-indicating composition containing a temperature-indicating clay and a suitable carrier and a color chart showing the change of color of the temperature-indicating composition due to the color change of the temperature-indicating clay as a function of temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.