Copolymer-stabilized emulsions

US8283308B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Thomas G. Mason · Los Angeles, US
• Timothy J. Deming · Summerland, US
• Jarrod A. Hanson · Los Angeles, US
• Connie Chang · Los Angeles, US
• Sara M. Graves · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 24, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2012
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2984
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An emulsion includes a substantially continuous liquid medium, and a plurality of droplet structures dispersed within the substantially continuous liquid medium. Each droplet structure of the plurality of droplet structures includes an outer droplet of a first liquid having an outer surface; an inner droplet of a second liquid having an inner surface contained within the outer surface of the outer droplet of the first liquid, the second liquid being immiscible in the first liquid, wherein the inner and outer droplets have a boundary surface region therebetween; an outer layer of block copolymers disposed on the outer surface of the outer droplet; and an inner layer of block copolymers disposed on the inner surface of the inner droplet. The block copolymers include a hydrophilic polymer block and a hydrophobic polymer block that act in combination to stabilize the droplet structure, and the first liquid is immiscible in the substantially continuous liquid medium.