Patents by Inventor Nancy R. Sottos

Nancy R. Sottos 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).

  • Publication number: 20100331445
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Gerald O. Wilson, Mary M. Caruso, Benjamin J. Blaiszik, James W. Henderson, Christopher Britt, Jeffrey S. Moore, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos
  • Publication number: 20100206088
    Abstract: A mechanochromic material includes a polymer having a backbone containing a mechanophore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Stephanie L. Potisek, Douglas A. Davis, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Jeffrey S. Moore
  • Publication number: 20100075134
    Abstract: A reinforced composite material includes a solid polymer matrix, a reinforcing material in the solid polymer matrix, and a first plurality of capsules. The reinforcing material includes a surface. The capsules are on the surface of the reinforcing material, and include a liquid healing agent. The amount of the healing agent of the capsules is at least 0.01 milligrams per square centimeter of the surface area of the reinforcing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Blaiszik, Jericho L. Moll, Brett A. Beiermann, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos
  • Patent number: 7612152
    Abstract: A composite material includes a polymer matrix, a polymerizer, and a plurality of capsules containing a corresponding activator for the polymerizer. The composite material can also include an adhesion promoter, and the polymerizer can be phase separated from the polymer matrix. The composite material can be made by dispersing the polymerizer and capsules into the polymer matrix. These composite materials can exhibit improved environmental stability, and can be used with a wider variety of activators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Paul V. Braun, Soo Hyoun Cho, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, H. Magnus Andersson
  • Patent number: 7569625
    Abstract: A composite material includes an elastomer matrix, a set of first capsules containing a polymerizer, and a set of second capsules containing a corresponding activator for the polymerizer. The polymerizer may be a polymerizer for an elastomer. The composite material may be prepared by combining a first set of capsules containing a polymerizer, a second set of capsules containing a corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and a matrix precursor, and then solidifying the matrix precursor to form an elastomeric matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Michael W. Keller, Nancy R. Sottos, Scott R. White
  • Publication number: 20090191402
    Abstract: A laminate material may include a first flexible layer, and a self-healing composite layer in contact with the first flexible layer. The composite layer includes an elastomer matrix, a plurality of first capsules including a polymerizer, and a corresponding activator for the polymerizer. The laminate material may self-heal when subjected to a puncture or a tear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Brett A. Beiermann, Michael W. Keller, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos
  • Patent number: 7566747
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Moore, Joseph D. Rule, Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Eric N. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090181254
    Abstract: A multi-capsule composition includes a first capsule, which includes a first capsule wall defining a first interior volume and a first fluid in the first interior volume, and a plurality of second capsules, at least partially embedded in the first capsule wall. The second capsules include a second capsule wall defining a second interior volume and a second fluid in the second interior volume. The multi-capsule composition may include at least one active agent, such as pharmaceutical agents, food additives, cleaning agents, complexing agents, personal care substances, lubricants, adhesives, heating/cooling agents, colorants, indicators, superabsorbents, agricultural additives, and healing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Steven Mookhoek, Sybrand van der Zwaag, Nancy R. Sottos, Benjamin J. Blaiszik
  • Publication number: 20080305343
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Kathleen S. Toohey, Nancy R. Sottos, Jennifer A. Lewis, Jeffrey S. Moore, Scott R. White
  • Publication number: 20080299391
    Abstract: A composition includes a plurality of capsules, and a polymerizer in the capsules. The capsules have an average outer diameter less than 10 micrometers. The capsules can be made by sonicating an emulsion to form a microemulsion, where the emulsion includes water, a surfactant, a first polymerizer and a second polymerizer, and then polymerizing the first polymerizer. The capsules may be present in a composite material that includes a polymer matrix and an activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Benjamin J. Blaiszik
  • Publication number: 20070282059
    Abstract: A composite material includes an elastomer matrix, a set of first capsules containing a polymerizer, and a set of second capsules containing a corresponding activator for the polymerizer. The polymerizer may be a polymerizer for an elastomer. The composite material may be prepared by combining a first set of capsules containing a polymerizer, a second set of capsules containing a corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and a matrix precursor, and then solidifying the matrix precursor to form an elastomeric matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Michael W Keller, Nancy R. Sottos, Scott R. White
  • Patent number: 6858659
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Board of Trustess of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Philippe H. Geubelle, Jeffrey S. Moore, Suresh R. Sriram, Michael R. Kessler, Eric N. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030060569
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Philippe H. Geubelle, Jeffrey S. Moore, Suresh R. Sriram, Michael R. Kessler, Eric N. Brown
  • Patent number: 6518330
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of University of Illinois
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Philippe H. Geubelle, Jeffrey S. Moore, Suresh R. Sriram, Michael R. Kessler, Eric N. Brown
  • Publication number: 20020111434
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Philippe H. Geubelle, Jeffrey S. Moore, Suresh R. Sriram, Michael R. Kessler, Eric N. Brown
  • Patent number: 5834105
    Abstract: A structural polymeric composite containing corn-based material is provided. In one embodiment, a polymeric composite is a laminated polymeric composite that contains a fibrous component of corn. A method of making a structural composite using corn-based material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Scott R. White, Nancy R. Sottos, Thomas A. Mackin