Self-Healing Nanocapsules With High Packing Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for repairing damaged articles, such as teeth and ceramics, require timely human intervention, which can lead to irreparable damage if not done promptly.

Innovation Solution

The use of nanocapsules with a judiciously selected substrate mixture that provides self-healing capabilities and antimicrobial properties, allowing for high packing density and good mechanical properties, enabling autonomous repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional repair methods are used, then human intervention can repair damaged articles, but repairs cannot be made timely enough to avoid irreparable damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for repairVSAvoidavoidance of irreparable damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Healing agents (monomers, initiators, catalysts) are pre-loaded into nanocapsules and embedded within the substrate before any damage occurs. When damage happens, these pre-positioned agents are immediately released and activated at the damage site, enabling autonomous repair without human intervention and preventing irreparable damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate is equipped with self-healing capability through the embedded nanocapsules containing healing agents. Upon damage, the system autonomously releases and activates these agents to repair itself, eliminating the need for external human intervention and enabling immediate repair action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If nanocapsules are embedded in substrate, then self-healing capability is provided, but packing density and mechanical properties must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-healing capabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The nanocapsules are designed with specific size ranges (50-500 nm diameter) and the substrate is formulated with optimized compositions and curing parameters. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves high packing density of nanocapsules while maintaining the mechanical strength and other properties of the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system where nanocapsules containing healing agents are embedded within the substrate matrix. This composite structure provides both the self-healing functionality from the nanocapsules and the mechanical strength from the substrate, with the healing agents comprising 0.1-10 wt% of the total composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Extent of automation

If nanocapsules are used for self-healing, then human intervention is eliminated, but the complexity of nanocapsule formulation and integration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous repairVSAvoidnanocapsule formulation and integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The healing system is segmented into distinct functional components enclosed within nanocapsules: monomers, initiators, and catalysts are separated within individual capsules or distributed across multiple capsules. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together for autonomous repair when released upon damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nanocapsules themselves serve as intermediaries that deliver the healing agents to the damage site. The capsule shell protects the healing agents during normal service and controls their release upon damage, simplifying the overall system by providing a self-contained delivery mechanism that integrates seamlessly with the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables timely and autonomous repair of damaged articles, minimizing irreparable damage and enhancing the longevity and functionality of materials like teeth and ceramics.

Implementation Method 1

a shell encapsulating a core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

core comprising: a) an initiator and a stabilizer... b) a monomer and catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

crosslinked polymer networks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

said shell's exterior comprising an optional silica coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12528065B2Nanocapsules and process of making and using same

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

The present invention relates to nanocapsules, nanocapsule substrate mixtures and processes of making and using same. Such nanocapsule substrate mixtures can provide biological articles such as teeth, bones, and tissues as well as nonbiological articles such as ceramics and polymers, with self-healing capabilities and/or antimicrobial properties. Applicants' nanocapsules allow for a high packing density as well as good mechanical and physical properties that provide the desired performance in each desired application.