Document Type

Patent

Publication Date

3-7-2006

Patent Number

Patent Number 7008567

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a composite having tunable radiation diffracting properties which includes a flexible, water-free polymeric matrix and a crystalline colloidal array of particles having a lattice spacing, the array being embedded in the polymeric matrix and the lattice spacing changing responsive to stress applied to the polymeric matrix, thereby causing the radiation diffracting properties to change, wherein the polymeric matrix, the lattice spacing and the radiation diffracting properties all return to their original state essentially immediately upon removal of the stress. The present inventive composite is preferably made by a process, which involves forming a preliminary hydrogel polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA), dehydrating the PCCA, and then forming a final, encapsulating polymeric matrix.

Application Number

10/263,014

Assignees

Clemson University (Clemson, SC)

Filing Date

10/02/2002

Primary/U.S. Class

252/583

Other/U.S. Class

252/586; 359/245; 359/265; 359/288; 359/290; 516/98

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