University of Colorado

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of Arizona

Paul Steven Sheeran

Terry Onichi Matsunaga

Mark A Borden

Paul Alexander Dayton

Acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy are disclosed. A particle of material includes a first substance that includes at least one component that has a boiling point below 25&#xb0; C. at atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create the particle. The particle has a core consisting of a liquid and is an activatable phase change agent. The second substance includes a polymeric brush layer to prevent aggregation and coalescence.

Formulation of acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy and methods for using same

An acoustically activatable particle of material includes a first substance that includes a component that is a gas 25&#xb0; C. and atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create a droplet or emulsion that is stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. At least some of the first substance exists in a gaseous phase at the time of encapsulation of the first substance within the second substance to form a bubble. After formation of the bubble, the bubble is condensed into a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into the droplet or emulsion having a core consisting of a liquid. The droplet or emulsion is an activatable phase change agent having a core consisting of a liquid at 25&#xb0; C. and atmospheric pressure. The first substance has a boiling point below 25&#xb0; C. at atmospheric pressure.

A method of producing particles of materials includes, with a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, extruding or emulsifying the first substance into or in the presence of a second substance to create a bubble in which the first substance is encapsulated by the second substance and wherein at least some of the first substance is in a gaseous phase, and causing the first substance to condense to a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into a droplet or emulsion. The droplet or emulsion so created is an activatable phase change agent that is stable at room temperature and pressure.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Paul Steven Sheeran