Microencapsulation technology has been used in the development and processing of composite materials. SwRI maintains its commitment to the pharmaceutical field, employing biocompatible, biodegradable, and resorbable polymers to produce both microspheres and nanospheres for implantable, inhalable, injectable, and parenteral drug delivery routes. Institute scientists continue to explore the use of stomach-acid soluble or enzymatic degradable polymer coatings for new uses in the oral drug delivery fields. Microencapsulation of chemicals for the oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, and waste water treatment industries continues to be a dominant research area for the Institute. Recent work at SwRI, performed under an internal research program, demonstrated the ability to prepare microspheres with alginate-based shell walls in the range of 80 to 100 micrometers using a coextrusion nozzle fabricated by laser drilling.
Experiments are under way to determine the limits and flexibility of the process technology.
Consumer products such as paints, detergents, antiperspirants, and other household products use microcapsules of many types and sizes. Improved ingredients can be safely added using environmentally friendly formulations because encapsulation can reduce chemical reactivity and improve product compatibility. Copyright 1999 by Southwest Research Institute. All rights reserved under U.S. Copyright Law and International Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.