Christoph Weder

US Patent:

7935745, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Mar 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/079264

Inventors:

Christoph Weder - Shaker Heights OH, US
Jeffrey Capadona - North Ridgeville OH, US
Otto van den Berg - Grembergen, BE

Assignee:

Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

C08K 3/04
C08L 1/00

US Classification:

523201, 523215, 523218, 523333, 524496, 524 35, 528491, 977742, 977778

Abstract:

Polymer nanocomposites, nanoparticle-containing organogels utilized in forming the polymer nanocomposites, and methods for forming the polymer nanocomposites and nanoparticle-containing organogels are disclosed. Relatively simple and versatile methods are utilized to form the polymer nanocomposites. The process is based on the format of a three-dimensional network of well-individualized nanoparticles, such nanofibers through gelation thereof with an appropriate non-polymeric solvent. The nanoparticle-containing organogel is subsequently filled with a solution of a desired matrix polymer, the composite is dried and compacted to create the polymer nanocomposite. Polymer nanocomposites can be prepared which exhibit dramatic changes in mechanical properties, such as increased shear modulus, when compared to the neat polymer.

US Patent:

8344060, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Apr 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/384729

Inventors:

Christoph Weder - Shaker Heights OH, US
Stuart J. Rowan - Cleveland Heights OH, US
Jeffrey R. Capadona - North Ridgeville OH, US
Dustin J. Tyler - Highland Heights OH, US
Kadhiravan Shanmuganathan - Cleveland OH, US
Otto van den Berg - Leuven, BE

Assignee:

Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland OH
The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs - Washington DC

International Classification:

C08K 3/04
C08K 3/34

US Classification:

524496, 977956, 977753, 977762, 977773, 977778, 977775

Abstract:

Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20040175656, Sep 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/788363

Inventors:

Eric Baer - Cleveland Heights OH, US
P. Hiltner - Cleveland OH, US
Christoph Weder - Shaker Heights OH, US

International Classification:

G03C001/73

US Classification:

430/290000

Abstract:

Light-reflecting multilayer polymer films that irreversibly change their optical characteristics upon exposure to suitable, high-intensity irradiation.

US Patent:

20060108564, May 25, 2006

Filed:

Jun 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/517897

Inventors:

Christiane Lowe - Wallisellen, CH
Christoph Weder - Shaker Heights OH, US

International Classification:

C09K 11/06
G01M 19/00

US Classification:

252301160, 428690000, 252301350, 428913000, 549080000, 549074000, 558388000, 558401000, 558402000, 073865800

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a photoluminescent article comprising at least one host material and at least one color tunable photoluminescent dye. In certain embodiments, the emission spectrum of the at least one tunable photoluminescent dye may be dependent on the supramolecular architecture of the material. The photoluminescent emission spectrum of the dye is capable of being shifted by subjecting the article to an external stimuli such as, but not limited to, a mechanical deformation, a temperature change, aging of the article, a pressure change, exposure to a chemical compound. In specific embodiments, the color tunable photoluminescent dye is an oligo(phenylene vinylene) compound, such as, but not limited to, 1,4-Bis-(α-cyano-4-methoxystyryl)-benzene, 1,4-bis-(α-cyano-4-methoxystyryl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene, and 1,4-bis-(α-cyano-4-(2-ethylhexyloxystyryl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene and 2,5-bis-(α-cyano-4-methoxystyryl)-thiophene. A further embodiment of the invention is method of determining a degree of mechanical deformation, a temperature change, aging of the article, a pressure change, exposure to a chemical compound on an article.

US Patent:

20070158624, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Jan 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/651343

Inventors:

Christoph Weder - Shaker Heights OH, US
Maki Kinami - Shiga, JP
Brent Crenshaw - Cleveland Heights OH, US

International Classification:

G02F 1/361

US Classification:

252582000, 524205000

Abstract:

Time temperature indicators are disclosed which comprise at least one carrier material and one aggregachromic indicator dye and which respond to the combined effects of temperature and time with an easily measurable, time-temperature dependent, irreversible, color change. The invention also discloses to methods to produce such time-temperature indicators and materials therefore. Also, the devices disclose methods for determining the time/temperature history.

US Patent:

20130165554, Jun 27, 2013

Filed:

Dec 18, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/718027

Inventors:

Christoph Weder - Shaker Heights OH, US
Stuart J. Rowan - Cleveland Heights OH, US
Jeffrey R. Capadona - North Ridgeville OH, US
Dustin J. Tyler - Highland Heights OH, US
Kadhiravan Shanmuganathan - Cleveland OH, US
Otto van den Berg - Grembergen, BE

Assignee:

The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs - Washington DC
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

C08L 1/00

US Classification:

524 35

Abstract:

Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator Is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.