Multifunctional autonomically healing composite material

Abstract

A composite material, contains a polymer, a polymerizer, a corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer, and a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules. The composite material is self-healing.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A composite material, comprising: 
 (i) a polymer,    (ii) a polymerizer,    (iii) a corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and    (iv) a first plurality of capsules,    wherein the polymerizer is in the capsules, and    the corresponding activator is not a native activating moiety.    
   
   
       14 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A composite material, comprising: 
 (i) a polymer,    (ii) a polymerizer,    (iii) a corresponding initiator for the polymerizer, and    (iv) a plurality of capsules,    wherein the polymerizer is in the capsules.    
   
   
       25 . The composite material of  claim 24 , wherein the polymerizer comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of cyclic olefins, lactones, lactams, acrylates, acrylic acids, alkyl acrylates, alkyl acrylic acids, styrenes, isoprene and butadiene.  
   
   
       26 . The composite material of  claim 24 , wherein the polymerizer comprises cyclic olefins.  
   
   
       27 . The composite material of  claim 24 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyethers, polyimides, phenol-formaldehyde resins, amine-formaldehyde resins, polysulfones, poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polyurethanes, polyolefins, and polysilanes.  
   
   
       28 . The composite material of  claim 24 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyesters and polyethers.  
   
   
       29 . The composite material of  claim 24 , wherein the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:2, and an average diameter of 10 nm to 1 mm.  
   
   
       30 . The composite material of  claim 24 , wherein the capsules comprise a polymer of urea and formaldehyde, gelatin, polyurea, and polyamide.  
   
   
       31 . The composite material of  claim 13 , further comprising a second plurality of capsules, wherein said activator is in the second plurality of capsules.  
   
   
       32 . The composite material of  claim 13 , wherein said corresponding activator is a monomer.  
   
   
       33 . The composite material of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyethers, polyimides, phenol-formaldehyde resins, amine-formaldehyde resins, polysutfones, poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polyurethanes, potyolefins, and polysilanes.  
   
   
       34 . The composite material of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyesters and polyethers.  
   
   
       35 . The composite material of  claim 13 , wherein the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:2, and an average diameter of 10 nm to 1 mm.  
   
   
       36 . The composite material of  claim 13 , wherein the capsules comprise a polymer of urea and formaldehyde, gelatin, polyurea, and polyamide.  
   
   
       37 . A method for making the composite of  claim 13 , comprising: 
 dispersing the capsules and the corresponding activator into the polymer.    
   
   
       38 . A composite material, comprising: 
 (i) a polymer,    (ii) a polymerizer,    (iii) a corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer, and    (iv) a plurality of capsules,    wherein the polymerizer is separated from the catalyst by the capsules.    
   
   
       39 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the polymerizer comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of cyclic olefins, lactones, lactams, acrylates, acrylic acids, alkyl acrylates, alkyl acrylic acids, styrenes, isoprene and butadiene.  
   
   
       40 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the polymerizer comprises cyclic olefins.  
   
   
       41 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyethers, polyimides, phenol-formaldehyde resins, amine-formaldehyde resins, polysulfones, poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polyurethanes, polyolefins, and polysilanes.  
   
   
       42 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyesters and polyethers.  
   
   
       43 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ROMP catalysts and cyclic ester polymerization catalysts.  
   
   
       44 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer comprises a ROMP catalyst.  
   
   
       45 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:2, and an average diameter of 10 nm to 1 mm.  
   
   
       46 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein the capsules comprise a polymer of urea and formaldehyde, gelatin, polyurea, and polyamide.  
   
   
       47 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein 
 the polymerizer comprises DCPD,    the polymer comprises epoxy,    the corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer comprises a Grubbs catalyst,    the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5, and an average diameter of 30-300 pm, and    the capsules comprise a polymer of urea and formaldehyde.    
   
   
       48 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein 
 the polymerizer comprises DCPD,    the polymer comprises poly(DCPD),    the corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer comprises a Grubbs catalyst, and    the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5, and an average diameter of 30-300 pm.    
   
   
       49 . The composite material of  claim 38 , wherein 
 the polymerizer comprises caprolactone,    the polymer comprises poly(caprolactone),    the corresponding catalyst for the polymerizer comprises a scandium triflate, and    the capsules have an aspect ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.5, and an average diameter of 30-300 pm.