Michigan State University

Gary J Blanchard

Marcos Dantus

Sheryl Blanchard

Alec B Scranton

D J Osborn, Iii

Elan Dantus

Evan Blanchard

Julie L Jessop

Muhammad Rabnawaz

Greg M Swain

Romana Jarosova

Punit Kohli

Ramadan Mousa Abouomar

Ke Ma

Md Iqbal Hossain

The disclosure relates to an impact detection composite as well as related articles and methods. The impact detection composite incorporates a plasticizer and plurality of microcapsules into a polymeric matrix. The microcapsules serve as a means for detecting impact on the composite or a substrate to which it is attached. A sufficiently forceful impact can rupture the microcapsules and release an indicator therein. Presence of the plasticizer in the matrix facilitates diffusion of the indicator through the matrix once released. This allows for rapid detection of the indicator, for example as a visually observable color or color change at an external surface of the impact detection composite. The detectable change provides a tamper-proof and non-electronic means for detecting an impact. The impact detection composites can be incorporated into a variety of articles and used in a variety of settings, for example to monitor personal safety, to monitor article integrity, etc.

Impact detection composite materials and related articles

The disclosure relates to piezoelectric apparatus containing ionic liquids. The piezoelectric apparatus includes a chamber defining an internal volume containing an ionic liquid therein. The ionic liquid can generate a voltage or current upon application of force to the chamber or cell, thus exhibiting a piezoelectric effect. The ionic liquid also can deform upon application of a voltage to the ionic liquid, thus exhibiting a converse piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric apparatus further includes first and second electrodes in contact with the ionic liquid at first and second locations, such as at opposing locations in the chamber with the ionic liquid positioned between the electrodes. The piezoelectric apparatus, depending on whether it is configured to exhibit a piezoelectric effect or a converse piezoelectric effect, can form or otherwise be a component of various energy or sensing devices, such as an energy harvester, force sensor, piezo-pneumatic device or actuator, optical sensor, etc.

Ionic liquid-based piezoelectric apparatus and related methods

The disclosure relates to materials and articles that provide an irreversible history of compression forces and torques experienced by the materials and articles. The disclosure relates more particularly to an multiple impact level detection assembly as well as related articles and methods. The multiple impact level detection assembly provides distinct impact patterns depending on the impact force and direction (for torqueing motions) received by the detection assembly. The detection assembly can be incorporated into a variety of articles and used in a variety of settings, for example to monitor personal safety in a protective garment such as a helmet. The detection assembly incorporates an impact detection medium (e.g., a plurality of microcapsules with an indicator therein), which can serve as an irreversible means for detecting impact on the assembly via a relief substrate incorporated into the assembly.

Materials and apparatus with multiple impact level and torque detection

The disclosure relates to electrically tunable optical cells including ionic liquids. The optical cell includes opposing substrates defining an internal cell volume containing the ionic liquid. The optical cell further includes an electrically conductive layer or film on at least one substrate, where the electrically conductive layer is adapted to receive a voltage differential and induced current therethrough. The resulting current through the electrically conductive layer induces a charge density gradient in the neighboring ionic liquid. The refractive index of the ionic liquid in the optical cell can be controlled by adjusting the charge density gradient in the ionic liquid. At least some of the components of the optical cell can be formed from transparent materials, thus providing transmissive or reflective optical cells.

Electrically tunable ionic liquid optics

The disclosure relates to an irreversible dosimetric shock-detection substrate as well as related articles and methods. The shock-detection substrate incorporates a plurality of microcapsules serving as an irreversible means for detecting impact on the substrate. A shock above a characteristic threshold level experienced by the substrate induces an irreversible detectable change associated with the microcapsules upon shock-induced rupture. The irreversible detectable change provides a tamper-proof and non-electronic means for detecting a shock or impact. The shock-detection substrates can be incorporated into a variety of articles and used in a variety of settings, for example to monitor personal safety, to monitor article integrity, to monitor the end of the useful life of the shock-detection substrate itself, or in any other setting where it is desirable to irreversibly detect and/or localize a shock event.

Materials with detectable compression memory

The present invention provides novel organic copolymers comprising alternating functional groups, wherein one functional group is phosphonate. In one embodiment, the copolymers comprise alternating phosphonate and N-substituted succinimide functional groups. In another embodiment, the copolymers are synthesized from maleimide and vinyl ether monomers, wherein the vinyl ether monomer possesses a pendant phosphonate functionality and the maleimide monomer is an N-substituted maleimide. Methods of synthesizing thin films with the novel organic copolymers, as well as chemical precipitation methods using the novel organic copolymers, are also provided.

Phosphonate copolymer and methods of use

A method and apparatus (10) for detection of the degree of cure of a polymer in situ and non-invasively. The method and apparatus uses a solvatochromic probe molecule which upon curing produces a shift in the fluorescence emission spectrum as compared to a liquid polymerizable composition. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted for poly(vinyl) polymers. Preferred solvatochromic probe molecules are oxazones and pyrene.

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Okemos, MI, United States of America

Gary J Blanchard