Additive fabrication method of transparent rock micromodels with in-situ mineral coating
US12065761B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods of preparing a mineral-coated rock micromodel can include 3D-printing a transparent porous micromodel with photo-curable polymer, seeding a thin layer of mineral nanoparticles in the network of pores inside the micromodel, and subsequently growing a mineral layer on the thin layer of mineral nanoparticles. The thin layer of mineral nanoparticles can be introduced by injecting a suspension containing the mineral nanoparticles through the microporous polymer micromodel, and the mineral layer can be grown in-situ on the thin layer of mineral nanoparticles in the network of pores by injecting an ion-rich solution configured to crystallize from solution in response to contacting the mineral nanoparticles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.