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.

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.

Abstract: An electrolyte includes a polar aprotic solvent; an alkali metal salt; and an electrode stabilizing compound that is a monomer, which when polymerized forms an electrically conductive polymer. The electrode stabilizing compound is a thiophene, a imidazole, a anilines, a benzene, a azulene, a carbazole, or a thiol. Electrochemical devices may incorporate such electrolytes.

Abstract: A composite material includes a solid polymer matrix, a plurality of capsules and a liquid, in the capsules. The liquid includes from 50 to 100 wt % of a solvent, and from 0 to 50 wt % of a polymerizer. There is no polymerizer outside of the capsules. The solid polymer matrix may include a native activating moiety for the polymerizer. The solvent may have a swelling ratio with the solid polymer matrix of at least 1.1 and/or may have a polarity ET of from 0.10 to 0.50. A composite material includes a solid polymer matrix, a plurality of capsules and a liquid, in the capsules. The liquid includes from 50 to 100 wt % of a solvent, and from 0 to 50 wt % of a polymerizer. There is no polymerizer outside of the capsules. The solid polymer matrix may include a native activating moiety for the polymerizer. The solvent may have a swelling ratio with the solid polymer matrix of at least 1.1 and/or may have a polarity ET of from 0.10 to 0.50.

Abstract: A composite material precursor composition includes a matrix precursor, a first plurality of capsules including a liquid polymerizer, an activator, and an accelerant. The liquid polymerizer polymerizes when in contact with the activator, and the accelerant is an accelerant for the polymerization of the liquid polymerizer. The composite material precursor may be used to form a composite material that includes a solid polymer matrix, the first plurality of capsules in the solid polymer matrix, the activator in the solid polymer matrix, and the accelerant in the solid polymer matrix.

Abstract: A mechanochromic material includes a polymer having a backbone containing a mechanophore.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.

Abstract: A composite material comprises (i) a polymer, (ii) a polymerizer, (iii) a protected corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and (iv) a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules, and the corresponding activator is protected with a corresponding encapsulant for the polymer and the polymerizer.

Abstract: A composite material includes a polymeric layer and a substrate, in contact with the polymeric layer. The substrate includes a substrate matrix, a first microfluidic network in the substrate matrix and in fluid communication with the polymeric layer, and a polymerizer in the first microfluidic network. The composite material may further include an activator, and may be a self-healing composite.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a constriction region in a channel of a microfluidic device. The method includes the steps of introducing a pre-polymer mixture including a monomer, cross-linking agent and photoinitiator into the channel. The pre-polymer mixture is polymerized at a localized area of the channel so as to shrink and solidify the liquid mixture. The solidified and shrunken liquid mixture provides the constriction region in the channel.

Abstract: A composite material, contains a polymer, a polymerizer, a corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer, and a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules. The composite material is self-healing.

Abstract: An integrated biological microfluidic system and method of using the same is provided. The microfluidic system includes a microfluidic device having a channel therethrough. A filter and a vesicle containing a predetermined cargo are positioned in the channel. The vesicle has outer surface carrying a bioactive molecule. A reagent having predetermined stimuli therein flows through the channel and carries the vesicle to the filter. If the bioactive molecule is activated by the predetermined stimuli, lysis of the vesicle is triggered, thereby releasing the cargo. The cargo flows through the filter and engages a visual detection structure positioned in the channel downstream of the filter. The visual detection structure provides a visual display in response to exposure to the cargo.

Abstract: A flow of liquids is carried out on a microscale utilizing surface effects to guide the liquid on flow paths to maintain laminar flow. No sidewall confining structure is required, minimizing resistance to flow and allowing laminar flow to be maintained at high flow rates. The guiding structure has flow guiding stripes formed on one or both of facing base and cover surfaces which are wettable by a selected liquid to direct the liquid from a source location to a destination location. The regions adjacent to the guiding stripes on the base and cover surfaces are non-wettable. The smooth interface between the gas and liquid along the flowing stream allows gas-liquid reactions to take place as a function of diffusion across the interface without mixing of the gas and liquid. Liquid-liquid flows may also be guided with such structures.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a constriction region in a channel of a microfluidic device. The method includes the steps of introducing a pre-polymer mixture including a monomer, cross-linking agent and photoinitiator into the channel. The pre-polymer mixture is polymerized at a localized area of the channel so as to shrink and solidify the liquid mixture. The solidified and shrunken liquid mixture provides the constriction region in the channel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.

Abstract: A composite material, contains a polymer, a polymerizer, a corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer, and a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules. The composite material is self-healing.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a microfluidic device and method of using the same is provided for self-regulating the flow of fluid therethrough. The microfluidic device includes a body defining first and second flow channels. The first flow channel has an input for receiving the fluid and an output. The second flow channel has an input for receiving a compensating fluid to modify the value of the property of the fluid and an output communicating with the first flow channel. A polymeric material is disposed in the first flow channel downstream of the output of the second flow channel. The polymeric material has a volume responsive to the value of the property of the fluid. A valve is disposed in the second flow channel and is movable in response to the volume of the material. The valve is movable between the first open position allowing the compensating fluid to flow past the valve into the first flow channel and a second closed position limiting the flow of compensating fluid therepast.

Abstract: A composite material, contains a polymer, a polymerizer, a corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer, and a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules. The composite material is self-healing.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a microfluidic device and method of using the same is provided for self-regulating the flow of fluid therethrough. The microfluidic device includes a body defining first and second flow channels. The first flow channel has an input for receiving the fluid and an output. The second flow channel has an input for receiving a compensating fluid to modify the value of the property of the fluid and an output communicating with the first flow channel. A polymeric material is disposed in the first flow channel downstream of the output of the second flow channel. The polymeric material has a volume responsive to the value of the property of the fluid. A valve is disposed in the second flow channel and is movable in response to the volume of the material. The valve is movable between the first open position allowing the compensating fluid to flow past the valve into the first flow channel and a second closed position limiting the flow of compensating fluid therepast.