Patent ID: 6929764

Claim:
A method for preparing a second-generation colloid comprising the steps of: (a) providing a colloidal template; (b) infiltrating said colloidal template with polymerizable components; (c) polymerizing said polymerizable components; (d) selectively removing said colloidal template to yield a porous polymer; (e) heating said porous polymer above its glass transition temperature; (f) deforming said porous polymer such that said porous polymer includes non-spherical pores; (g) cooling said porous polymer below its glass transition temperature; (h) depositing a material into the non-spherical pores of said porous polymer so as to form said material into ellipsoidal particles having an aspect ratio between 1.47 and 5.0; and (i) selectively removing said porous polymer to form a second-generation colloid.