Biologically Self-Assembled Micro and Macrostructure Ceramics, Metals and Polymer Materials

A method to utilize biologically active materials to influence the formation of the micro and macrostructures of ceramics, metals, and polymer systems. The porosity which results can be tailored to be long and thin "tubes" or spherical pores depending upon the consistency of the starting material and the conditions of processing.

Densities from 90% down to as low as 30% of the theoretical density (10% to 70% by volume of air in the material) of the material have been made to date. The size of the porosity can be controlled by the amount of biological agent added and the conditions under which the material is processed. Pores ranging from less than 100 microns up to several millimeters have been observed.

Although demonstrated in ceramic systems so far, it is easily seen that this process will work for powder metal processing as well as polymer processing for both powder and melt formed polymers.

Patent Information:

App Type	Country	Serial No.	Patent No.	File Date	Issued Date	Patent Status
US Divisional	*United States	11/531,025	7,632,440	9/12/2006	12/15/2009	Abandoned

Category(s):

Nanotechnology

Materials

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For Information, Contact:

Mike Miller

Senior Licensing Manager

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.

(540) 443-9228

mmiller@vtip.org

Inventors:

Gary Pickrell

Keywords:

Materials/Other