MICROCAPSULE AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING MICROCAPSULES

摘要

An embodiment of a microcapsule includes a shell surrounding a space, a liquid within the shell, and a light absorbing material within the liquid. An embodiment of a method of making said microcapsules includes forming a mixture of a light absorbing material and an organic solution; an emulsion of the mixture and an aqueous solution is then formed; a polymerization agent is added to the emulsion, which causes said microcapsules to be formed. An embodiment of a method of using said microcapsules includes providing said phototriggerable microcapsules within a bulk material. Each of the phototriggerable microcapsules includes a shell surrounding a space, a chemically reactive material within the shell, and a light absorbing material within the shell. At least some of the phototriggerable microcapsules are exposed to light, which causes the chemically reactive material to release from the shell and to come into contact with bulk material.