CO-TOPO-POLYMERIC COMPOSITIONS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING THRESHOLD AND DELAY ACTIVATION SENSITIVITIES

• US 20100012018A1
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Segan Industries Inc.
• Original Assignee: Segan Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Ribi, Hans O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,187,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/207
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 238/02 Acetylene
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 57/10 Metal complexes of organic compounds not being dyes in uncomplexed form
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 67/0013 with polymeric coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 19/542 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/005 Indication of measured value by colour change
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour

Abstract

Co-topo-polymeric indicator compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. Indicator compositions of the invention include a polymer and undergo a color change, which may be reversible or irreversible, in response to an applied stimulus, e.g., temperature. Aspects of methods of producing the compositions include setting a fluid co-topo-polymeric precursor composition into a solid product and then subjecting the solid product (either immediately or after a delay period) to polymerizing conditions to produce the desired indicator composition. Also provided are indicator devices that include the indicator compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention find use in a variety of different applications.

Claims

1. A method of producing a co-topo-polymeric indicator composition, said method comprising:

(a) providing a co-topo-polymeric precursor composition comprising a first monomer and at least one of;

(i) a second monomer that is distinct from said first monomer; and

(ii) an effector compound;

(b) setting said co-topo-polymeric precursor composition into a solid product; and

(c) subjecting said solid product to polymerization conditions sufficient to produce said co-topo-polymeric indicator composition.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said co-topo-polymeric precursor composition comprises said first monomer and said second monomer.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said second monomer is an analogue of said first monomer.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said first and second monomers are diacetylenic monomers.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said co-topo-polymeric precursor composition comprises said first monomer and said effector compound.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said co-topo-polymeric precursor composition comprises said first monomer, said second monomer and said effector compound.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said setting comprises reducing the temperature of said co-topo-polymeric precursor composition.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said polymerization conditions comprise subjecting said solid composition to UV light.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises placing said co-topo-polymeric precursor composition onto a solid support prior to setting.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said placing comprises printing.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises placing said co-topo-polymeric indicator composition onto a solid support.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) occurs immediately after step (b).

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) occurs after a storage period following step (b).

27. A co-topo-polymeric indicator device comprising a co-topo-polymeric indicator composition produced according to a method of claim 1.

28. The indicator device according to claim 27, wherein said device comprises a co-topo-polymeric indicator composition on a surface of a solid support.

29. The indicator device according to claim 27, wherein said device comprises two or more distinct co-topo-polymeric indicator compositions on a surface of a solid support.

30. The indicator device according to claim 29, wherein said two or more compositions are responsive to different stimuli.

31. The indicator device according to claim 27, wherein said device further comprises a non-co-topo-polymeric sensor.

14. A co-topo-polymeric precursor composition comprising two or more different monomers.

15. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said different monomers are analogs of each other.

16. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said different monomers are diacetylenic monomers.

17. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 16, wherein said two or more diacetylene monomer analogs differ from each other in monomer chain length, head-group structure, bond positioning, appendages, chirality, related features, and/or combinations thereof.

18. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 15, wherein each of said analogs is independently polymerizable.

21. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said composition further comprises a thermochromic dye.

22. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said composition further comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal.

23. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said composition further comprises an oil.

24. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said composition further comprises a luminescent or fluorescent pigment.

25. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein one or more components of said composition are encapsulated.

26. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 14, wherein said composition further comprises a nucleator.

19. A co-topo-polymeric precursor composition comprising a first monomer and an effector compound.

20. The co-topo-polymeric precursor composition according to claim 19, wherein said composition further comprises a second monomer that is distinct from said first monomer.

32-69. -69. (canceled)