IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,643,082
Granted Patent B2
US 12,643,082 · App. 18/465,221 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Three dimensional multiphasic structures via vaporization induced phase separation (VIPS)

Inventors: Daeyeon Lee (Wynnewood, PA); Kathleen J Stebe (Penn Valley, PA); Tiancheng Wang (Philadelphia, PA)
Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
B01J13/0065B01F23/41B01F23/806B01J13/0069B33Y10/00B33Y70/10B33Y80/00B01F23/4146B01F23/48
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,643,082
App. No.
18/465,221
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

This disclosure demonstrates a new method to produce three dimensional multiphasic structures, including bijels, via vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS). In VIPS, the evaporation of the co-solvent from a ternary mixture of oil, water and ethanol, induces phase separation. Particles present in the mixture attach to the interface and arrest the phase separation between water and oil. VIPS enables, inter alia, the fabrication of films and coatings via spreading or spraying particle-laden suspension onto a surface without the need for an outer aqueous phase.

Claims (32)

1 . A system, comprising:

a dispenser configured to dispense a ternary mixture of a hydrophilic phase, an organic phase, and a co-solvent, the ternary mixture further having a plurality of particles disposed therein,

the dispenser configured to controllably dispense the ternary mixture onto a substrate,

the dispenser comprising therein an amount of the ternary mixture,

the ternary mixture configured such that evaporation of the co-solvent into an environment exterior to the ternary mixture gives rise to (1) a phase separation that forms an interface between the hydrophilic phase and the organic phase, and (2) an assembly of at least some of the plurality of particles at the interface,

the assembly arresting the phase separation and the evaporation giving rise to a multiphasic three-dimensional structure, and

the multiphasic three-dimensional structure defining a plurality of domains therein.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an environmental chamber configured so as to contain a substrate onto which the dispenser has dispensed the ternary mixture.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the environmental chamber is configured to modulate a temperature within the environmental chamber, a humidity within the environmental chamber, or both.

4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a heater configured to heat the substrate.

5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a supply of the substrate.

6 . A system, comprising:

a dispenser configured to dispense a ternary mixture of a hydrophilic phase, an organic phase, and a co-solvent, the ternary mixture further having a plurality of particles disposed therein,

the dispenser configured to controllably dispense the ternary mixture onto a substrate; and

an environmental chamber configured so as to contain a substrate onto which the dispenser has dispensed the ternary mixture, the environmental chamber being configured to modulate a temperature within the environmental chamber, a humidity within the environmental chamber, or both.

7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a heater configured to heat the substrate.

8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein evaporation of the co-solvent gives rise to (1) a phase separation that forms an interface between the hydrophilic phase and the organic phase, and (2) an assembly of at least some of the plurality of particles at the interface, the assembly arresting the phase separation and the evaporation giving rise to a multiphasic three-dimensional structure that defines a plurality of discrete domains therein.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the multiphasic three-dimensional structure is characterized as being a bicontinuous structure, a cellular structure, or a double-emulsion structure.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the multiphasic three-dimensional structure is characterized as being a bicontinuous structure.

11 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a supply of the substrate.

12 . The system of claim 6 , wherein (1) the system is configured for relative motion between the dispenser and the substrate, (2) the dispenser is configured as a sprayer, or both (1) and (2).

13 . A system, comprising:

a dispenser configured to dispense a ternary mixture of a hydrophilic phase, an organic phase, and a co-solvent, the ternary mixture further having a plurality of particles disposed therein,

the dispenser configured to controllably dispense the ternary mixture onto a substrate; and

a heater configured to heat the substrate.

14 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising an environmental chamber configured so as to contain a substrate onto which the dispenser has dispensed the ternary mixture, the environmental chamber being configured to modulate a temperature within the environmental chamber, a humidity within the environmental chamber, or both.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein evaporation of the co-solvent gives rise to (1) a phase separation that forms an interface between the hydrophilic phase and the organic phase, and (2) an assembly of at least some of the plurality of particles at the interface, the assembly arresting the phase separation and the evaporation giving rise to a multiphasic three-dimensional structure that defines a plurality of discrete domains therein.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the multiphasic three-dimensional structure is characterized as being a bicontinuous structure, a cellular structure, or a double-emulsion structure.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the multiphasic three-dimensional structure is characterized as being a bicontinuous structure.

18 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising a supply of the substrate.

19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the system is configured for relative motion between the dispenser and the substrate.

20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the dispenser is configured as a sprayer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: LEE, DAEYEON; STEBE, KATHLEEN J.; WANG, TIANCHENG
To: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Reel/Frame 065662/0752 →
Continuity (3)
Division 17093720 · Nov 10, 2020
Provisional Application 62933606 · Nov 11, 2019
Related Publication 20240001320A1 · Jan 4, 2024
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