Shape Memory Article with Exothermic Microcapsule Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shape memory materials that revert to their original shape upon temperature changes require external heating, limiting their utility and applications due to the availability and ease of heat application.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating multi-compartment microcapsules with a rupturable internal barrier that reacts exothermically to generate heat, allowing the shape memory material to transition back to its original shape when the temperature exceeds a threshold, either within the material or in a coating on the material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If external heat sources are used to trigger shape reversion, then the shape memory material can revert to its original shape, but the utility and potential applications are limited due to availability and ease of heat application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidheat application ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shape memory material system performs the heating function itself through embedded microcapsules that generate heat internally when activated by mechanical deformation, eliminating the need for external heat sources and enabling autonomous shape reversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Microcapsules containing reactive components serve as intermediaries between mechanical deformation and thermal response, converting mechanical energy into heat through exothermic reactions to trigger shape memory effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If multi-compartment microcapsules with exothermic reactions are incorporated, then self-heating capability is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-heating capabilityVSAvoidmicrocapsule structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microcapsule is divided into multiple compartments with isolating structures separating reactive components, allowing controlled exothermic reactions while maintaining a manageable structural organization that can be integrated into the shape memory material matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines shape memory material with microcapsule-containing coating or matrix, creating a composite structure that integrates self-heating functionality without completely redesigning the base material system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 self-heating of shape memory materials without external heat sources, expanding their potential applications by allowing shape reversion in various conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The second component reacts with the first component to produce heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

shape memory material that transitions to a first shape from a second shape when a temperature of the shape memory material exceeds a threshold temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

A plurality of microcapsules is in thermal contact with the shape memory material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10167854B2Shape memory article with heat-generating microcapsule

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A shape memory article comprises a shape memory material that transitions to a first shape from a second shape when a temperature of the shape memory material exceeds a threshold temperature. A plurality of microcapsules is in thermal contact with the shape memory material. Each microcapsule in the plurality of microcapsules has a first compartment, a second compartment, and an isolating structure separating the first and second compartments. The isolating structure is rupturable in response to a stimulus. The first compartments each contain a first component, and the second compartments each contain a second component that reacts with the first component to produce heat.