Patent ID: 11964422
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A system comprising:
an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a material source connected to a chamber by a valve and a first pump connected with the valve;
a controller operably connected to the first pump; and
a granular gel disposed in the chamber fluidly connected to the valve that is a thixotropic material;
wherein the granular gel comprises a cross-linked polymer network that is solvated in a solvent,
wherein the controller is configured to control the first pump to selectively block or open the valve with the granular gel,
wherein to block the valve the controller operates the first pump to apply a first pressure above a yield stress of the granular gel to cause a phase change in the granular gel from a solid to a liquid and draw the granular gel into the passage, and after the granular gel is in the valve, operating the first pump to impose a second pressure on the granular gel that is below the yield stress of the granular gel and causing a second phase change in the granular gel from a liquid to a solid, thereby blocking the valve,
wherein to open the valve the controller operates the first pump to apply a third pressure above the yield stress of the granular gel to cause a third phase change in the granular gel from a solid to a liquid and to draw the granular gel out of the valve, thereby opening the valve.