Patents by Inventor Aaron D. Finke

Aaron D. Finke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • System for visual indication of mechanical damage
    Patent number: 8846404
    Abstract: A self-indicating material system may include a solid polymer matrix having a first color, a first plurality of capsules in the matrix, and a plurality of particles in the matrix. The first plurality of capsules includes a first reactant, and the plurality of particles includes a second reactant, which forms a product when in contact with the first reactant. When a crack forms in the polymer matrix, at least a portion of the first plurality of capsules is ruptured, the first and second reactants form the product in the matrix, and the portion of the polymer matrix containing the product has a second color different from the first color. A self-indicating material system may include a solid polymer matrix, a plurality of capsules in the matrix, and an activator in the matrix, where the polymer matrix includes a first polymer and has a first color, the plurality of capsules includes a polymerizer, and the activator is an activator for the polymerizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Susan A. Odom, Mary M. Caruso, Aaron D. Finke, Aaron C. Jackson, Jeffrey S. Moore, Nancy R. Sottos, Scott R. White
  • Materials and methods for autonomous restoration of electrical conductivity
    Patent number: 8679621
    Abstract: An autonomic conductivity restoration system includes a solid conductor and a plurality of particles. The particles include a conductive fluid, a plurality of conductive microparticles, and/or a conductive material forming agent. The solid conductor has a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends. When a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor, the contents of at least a portion of the particles are released into the crack. The cracked conductor and the released contents of the particles form a restored conductor having a second conductivity, which may be at least 90% of the first conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Blaiszik, Susan A. Odom, Mary M. Caruso, Aaron C. Jackson, Marta B. Baginska, Joshua A. Ritchey, Aaron D. Finke, Scott R. White, Jeffrey S. Moore, Nancy R. Sottos, Paul V. Braun, Khalil Amine
  • System For Visual Indication Of Mechanical Damage
    Publication number: 20120196373
    Abstract: A self-indicating material system may include a solid polymer matrix having a first color, a first plurality of capsules in the matrix, and a plurality of particles in the matrix. The first plurality of capsules includes a first reactant, and the plurality of particles includes a second reactant, which forms a product when in contact with the first reactant. When a crack forms in the polymer matrix, at least a portion of the first plurality of capsules is ruptured, the first and second reactants form the product in the matrix, and the portion of the polymer matrix containing the product has a second color different from the first color. A self-indicating material system may include a solid polymer matrix, a plurality of capsules in the matrix, and an activator in the matrix, where the polymer matrix includes a first polymer and has a first color, the plurality of capsules includes a polymerizer, and the activator is an activator for the polymerizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Susan A. Odom, Mary M. Caruso, Aaron D. Finke, Aaron C. Jackson, Jeffrey S. Moore, Nancy R. Sottos, Scott R. White
  • Materials and Methods for Autonomous Restoration of Electrical Conductivity
    Publication number: 20120067615
    Abstract: An autonomic conductivity restoration system includes a solid conductor and a plurality of particles. The particles include a conductive fluid, a plurality of conductive microparticles, and/or a conductive material forming agent. The solid conductor has a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends. When a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor, the contents of at least a portion of the particles are released into the crack. The cracked conductor and the released contents of the particles form a restored conductor having a second conductivity, which may be at least 90% of the first conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Blaiszik, Susan A. Odom, Mary M. Caruso, Aaron C. Jackson, Marta B. Baginska, Joshua A. Ritchey, Aaron D. Finke, Scott R. White, Jeffrey S. Moore, Nancy R. Sottos, Paul V. Braun, Khalil Amine