Stimuli-Responsive Composite Particles for Interior Pressure Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional materials for measuring pressure and heat are limited in their ability to visually assess stimuli applied to interior surfaces, as they are typically in the form of films or sheets, making it difficult to measure pressure and heat distribution within complex structures.

Innovation Solution

Development of stimuli-responsive composite particles with microcapsules containing an electron-donating dye precursor and electron-accepting compounds, where the microcapsules are directly attached to the surface of the particles, allowing for visual measurement of pressure and heat applied to both exterior and interior surfaces through a color reaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional film or sheet materials are used for pressure and heat measurement, then exterior surface measurement is effective, but interior surface measurement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidapplication scope
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the measurement material into discrete microcapsule particles that can be dispersed and applied to various surfaces including interior spaces. Each microcapsule acts as an independent measurement unit containing electron-donating dye precursors that react with electron-accepting compounds upon stimulus application, enabling measurement in locations where continuous film materials cannot reach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical form parameter from continuous film/sheet to discrete particles with specific size ranges (0.1-100 μm). This parameter change enables the material to be applied to interior surfaces through dispersion and suspension techniques, expanding the application scope while maintaining measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If microcapsules are dispersed separately from electron-accepting compound particles, then manufacturing is simpler, but color developability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcolor developability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges microcapsules containing electron-donating dye precursors with electron-accepting compound particles into a single composite particle structure. The microcapsules are attached to the surface of the electron-accepting compound particles, ensuring close proximity and efficient contact between the two components. This merging maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving color developability upon stimulus application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the particle size of composite particles is reduced for better distribution, then interior surface penetration improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution capabilityVSAvoidparticle size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies an optimal particle size range of 0.1-100 μm for the composite particles. This parameter change balances the need for small particle size to achieve good distribution and penetration into interior surfaces with the practical requirements of manufacturing precision. The defined range enables effective dispersion while remaining achievable with conventional particle production techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The composite particles enable effective visual measurement of pressure and heat distribution by developing color in response to applied stimuli, overcoming the limitations of conventional materials by allowing for interior surface assessment and improving color developability.

Implementation Method 1

microcapsules containing an electron-donating dye precursor encapsulated therein and particles of an electron-accepting compound causing the electron-donating dye precursor to develop color

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor reaction:

Implementation Method 2

a material for pressure measurement capable of realizing density that becomes visible or readable with weak pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced capsule rupture:

Implementation Method 3

as a heat distribution indicator that is capable of indicating heat distribution with a big temperature difference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal color change: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3617681B1Stimuli-responsive composite particles and manufacturing method for same
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3617681B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617681B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3617681B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are stimuli-responsive composite particles which contain microcapsules containing an electron-donating dye precursor and particles of an electron-accepting compound causing the electron-donating dye precursor to develop color, in which the microcapsules are attached to at least a portion of the surface of each of the particles of the electron-accepting compound. Also provided is a manufacturing method of the stimuli-responsive composite particle.