Layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte capsules can be modified to incorporate stimuli such as superparamagnetic nanoparticles which respond to a magnetic field only when it is turned on. Thus, they can act as a switch to load or unload their drug cargo on demand. Specifically, magnetite is incorporated into bilayer capsules made of alternating poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) which surrounds calcium carbonate core. The core is then dissolved using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). These capsules are loaded with at FITC-BSA conjugate and examined with fluorescence to show the unloading of the FITC-BSA from capsules as it brightens the entire field of view of the microscope. The results suggest that we can next load and unload an anticancer drug such as doxorubicin using the combination of microcapsule and alternating magnetic field (AMF) to treat the cancer cells. Preliminary data interprets that the low frequency AMF we use has little to no adverse effect cells viability. This coincides with the general thought that low frequency AMF signals are not harmful to humans. Therefore, as an alternative to hyperthermia methods which use heat, it may be possible to deliver the anticancer drugs specifically to the cells when and where it is needed.

L’industrie textile utilise les microcapsules depuis de nombreuses années et beaucoup d’applications se sont développées notamment dans le domaine des cosmétotextiles. Les microcapsules utilisées pour ces applications sont souvent obtenues par polycondensation in situ du formaldéhyde et de la mélamine. La membrane réticulée assure une bonne tenue thermique et mécanique, indispensable au traitement appliqué lors du dépôt des microcapsules et de leur accroche sur textile. La présence résiduelle de formaldéhyde, classé cancérogène de catégorie 3, pose problème et peut être contrôlée par un post-traitement. Cependant, REACH va probablement diminuer les concentrations en formaldéhydes admises. Notre étude s’inscrit dans ce contexte, afin de développer des microcapsules sans formaldéhydes, à partir de monomères 100% d’origine naturelle selon des procédés respectueux de l’environnement. La membrane des microcapsules, synthétisée par polycondensation interfaciale entre le chlorure de succinyle et le 1,4 diaminobutane, donne lieu à la formation d’oligomères de polyamide 4,4 difficiles à caractériser car jamais étudié en détail. Un travail préliminaire de synthèse et de caractérisation de modèles a donc été effectué afin de nous aider dans la caractérisation de la membrane des microcapsules. Dans un second temps, nous avons optimisé les conditions opératoires de formation des microcapsules afin qu’elles répondent au cahier des charges. Les microcapsules obtenues et leur membrane polyamide 4,4 ont ensuite été caractérisées. Enfin, nous avons testé l’application de ces microcapsules sur textiles et étudié la résistance des cosméto-textiles obtenus aux frottements et au lavage en machine. / Textile industry has been using microcapsules for many years especially in the design of cosmeto-textiles. Microcapsules used for textile applications are often obtained by in situ polycondensation of formaldehyde and melamine. The crosslinked membrane ensures good thermal and mechanical properties, essential for treatment applied during microcapsules deposit and for their attachment onto textile. The residual presence of formaldehyde, classified as carcinogenic substance of level 3, is problematic and can be controlled by a post treatment. However, REACH directive will probably lower allowed formaldehyde concentrations. In this context, the aim of this work is to develop microcapsules without formaldehyde, from 100% bio-based monomers and using environmental friendly processes. Membrane microcapsules being synthesized by interfacial polycondensation between succinyl chloride and 1, 4-diaminobutane, this reaction results in polyamide 4 4 oligomers’ formation, difficult to characterize because this polymer has not yet been studied in detail. A preliminary work of syntheses and models characterizations has been performed to help the microcapsules membrane characterization. In a second step, we optimized the operating conditions of microcapsules formation to meet the specifications. The obtained microcapsules and their polyamide 4, 4 membrane were further characterized. Finally, we tested the microcapsules application onto textile and studied the obtained cosmeto-textile resistance to friction and washing machine.

Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The work presented in this dissertation describes the development of self-healing coatings based on thiol-ene chemistry. The approach was to synthesize capsules with thiol and ene compounds separately encapsulated. These capsules were embedded in various coating formulations and upon the formation of a crack with a razor blade, these capsules ruptured. This caused the healing agent to flow into the crack via capillary action and the thiol-ene healing mechanism was initiated. This resulted in recovery of the damaged coating and provided continued protection to the substrate. Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (TetraThiol), 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (DiAcrylate) and 1,6-hexanediol di-(endo, exo-norborn-2-ene-5-carboxylate) (DiNorbornene) are the thiol and ene compounds used in this study. Kinetic experiments indicated that both TetraThiol-DiAcrylate and TetraThiol-DiNorbornene monomer pairs undergo rapid polymerization and form a network within minutes upon exposure to UV radiation and with the addition of a photoinitiator. The TetraThiol-DiNorbornene monomer pair also showed a high rate of polymerization without the addition of a photoinitiator and/or exposure to UV radiation. Styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers and chain-extended block copolymers with styrene (P[(Sty-alt-MAh)-b-Sty]) were synthesized via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT)- mediated polymerization. These copolymers were used as surfactant in miniemulsification for the synthesis of core-shell particles with TetraThiol as the core material. It appeared that P[(Sty-alt-MAh)-b-Sty] block copolymers, sterically stabilized via the addition of formaldehyde, provide optimal stability to the core-shell particles. DiNorbornene is encapsulated via miniemulsion homopolymerization of styrene and well-defined, stable nanocapsules were obtained. TetraThiol and DiAcrylate microcapsules were synthesized via in-situ polymerization of urea and formaldehyde. Microcapsules with a particle size of one to ten micrometers and with a very smooth surface were obtained. These microcapsules and nanocapsules were embedded in poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), styrene-acrylate and pure acrylic films and the self-healing ability of these coatings, after introduction of a crack with a razor blade, was assessed.

L'industrie textile utilise les microcapsules depuis de nombreuses années et beaucoup d'applications se sont développées notamment dans le domaine des cosmétotextiles. Les microcapsules utilisées pour ces applications sont souvent obtenues par polycondensation in situ du formaldéhyde et de la mélamine. La membrane réticulée assure une bonne tenue thermique et mécanique, indispensable au traitement appliqué lors du dépôt des microcapsules et de leur accroche sur textile. La présence résiduelle de formaldéhyde, classé cancérogène de catégorie 3, pose problème et peut être contrôlée par un post-traitement. Cependant, REACH va probablement diminuer les concentrations en formaldéhydes admises. Notre étude s'inscrit dans ce contexte, afin de développer des microcapsules sans formaldéhydes, à partir de monomères 100% d'origine naturelle selon des procédés respectueux de l'environnement. La membrane des microcapsules, synthétisée par polycondensation interfaciale entre le chlorure de succinyle et le 1,4 diaminobutane, donne lieu à la formation d'oligomères de polyamide 4,4 difficiles à caractériser car jamais étudié en détail. Un travail préliminaire de synthèse et de caractérisation de modèles a donc été effectué afin de nous aider dans la caractérisation de la membrane des microcapsules. Dans un second temps, nous avons optimisé les conditions opératoires de formation des microcapsules afin qu'elles répondent au cahier des charges. Les microcapsules obtenues et leur membrane polyamide 4,4 ont ensuite été caractérisées. Enfin, nous avons testé l'application de ces microcapsules sur textiles et étudié la résistance des cosméto-textiles obtenus aux frottements et au lavage en machine.

A corrosão é um processo eletroquímico espontâneo e, sabendo que diversos metais estão sujeitos a este fenômeno, a sua deterioração é inevitável, o que impõe à comunidade científica desafios para retardar tal efeito. A literatura sobre o tema aponta como uma das ações mais recorrentes para alcançar esse retardo a aplicação superficial de películas poliméricas, dentre as quais destaca-se o desenvolvimento de revestimentos inteligentes. A incorporação na tinta de formadores de filmes encapsulados confere ao revestimento a característica de autorreparação, e a escolha de silanos como agentes reticulantes se destaca positivamente, uma vez que o filme gerado pela molécula apresenta caráter hidrofóbico. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é verificar, primeiro, a melhor condição de reticulação do silano na presença de radiação ultravioleta e, segundo, se a adição de microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeído-melamina) contendo metacriloxissilano em uma tinta epóxi base solvente confere a este revestimento proteção contra a corrosão, pelo efeito de autorreparação. Para isso, estudou-se a cinética de polimerização do formador de filme e o seu encapsulamento em microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeído-melamina). Determinada a melhor condição de encapsulamento, corpos de prova de aço carbono foram pintados com a tinta contendo as microcápsulas produzidas. O efeito de autorreparação - desencadeado pela ruptura das microcápsulas ao se provocar um defeito mecânico no revestimento - foi comprovado pelas técnicas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), técnica de varredura por eletrodo vibratório (SVET) e por ensaio acelerado de corrosão em câmara de névoa salina. / Corrosion is a spontaneous electrochemical process and, knowing that several metals are subjected to this phenomenon, its deterioration is inevitable, which imposes challenges for scientific community to delay this effect. The literature on this subject points out, as one of the most recurrent actions to achieve this delay, the superficial application of polymer films, which stands out the development of smart coatings with self-healing properties. The incorporation of encapsulated film formers gives to coatings the self-healing ability, and the choice of silanes as film-forming agent stands out positively since the film has a hydrophobic character. In this context, the aims of this study are, firstly, verify the best crosslinking condition of silane induced by UV light and, secondly, investigate whether the addition of poly(urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules containing methacryloxysilane into the solvent-based epoxy coating brings protection to this coating against corrosion by self-healing effect. For this purpose, the polymerization kinetics of the film former by ultraviolet radiation and their encapsulation in poly(urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules were studied. Given the best encapsulation condition, carbon steel panels were coated with the self-healing paint. The self-healing effect - triggered by the rupture of the microcapsules caused by an induced mechanical defect in the coating - was demonstrated by techniques as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and by accelerated corrosion tests in salt spray chamber.

A corrosão é um processo eletroquímico espontâneo e, sabendo que diversos metais estão sujeitos a este fenômeno, a sua deterioração é inevitável, o que impõe à comunidade científica desafios para retardar tal efeito. A literatura sobre o tema aponta como uma das ações mais recorrentes para alcançar esse retardo a aplicação superficial de películas poliméricas, dentre as quais destaca-se o desenvolvimento de revestimentos inteligentes. A incorporação na tinta de formadores de filmes encapsulados confere ao revestimento a característica de autorreparação, e a escolha de silanos como agentes reticulantes se destaca positivamente, uma vez que o filme gerado pela molécula apresenta caráter hidrofóbico. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é verificar, primeiro, a melhor condição de reticulação do silano na presença de radiação ultravioleta e, segundo, se a adição de microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeído-melamina) contendo metacriloxissilano em uma tinta epóxi base solvente confere a este revestimento proteção contra a corrosão, pelo efeito de autorreparação. Para isso, estudou-se a cinética de polimerização do formador de filme e o seu encapsulamento em microcápsulas de poli(ureia-formaldeído-melamina). Determinada a melhor condição de encapsulamento, corpos de prova de aço carbono foram pintados com a tinta contendo as microcápsulas produzidas. O efeito de autorreparação - desencadeado pela ruptura das microcápsulas ao se provocar um defeito mecânico no revestimento - foi comprovado pelas técnicas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), técnica de varredura por eletrodo vibratório (SVET) e por ensaio acelerado de corrosão em câmara de névoa salina. / Corrosion is a spontaneous electrochemical process and, knowing that several metals are subjected to this phenomenon, its deterioration is inevitable, which imposes challenges for scientific community to delay this effect. The literature on this subject points out, as one of the most recurrent actions to achieve this delay, the superficial application of polymer films, which stands out the development of smart coatings with self-healing properties. The incorporation of encapsulated film formers gives to coatings the self-healing ability, and the choice of silanes as film-forming agent stands out positively since the film has a hydrophobic character. In this context, the aims of this study are, firstly, verify the best crosslinking condition of silane induced by UV light and, secondly, investigate whether the addition of poly(urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules containing methacryloxysilane into the solvent-based epoxy coating brings protection to this coating against corrosion by self-healing effect. For this purpose, the polymerization kinetics of the film former by ultraviolet radiation and their encapsulation in poly(urea-formaldehyde-melamine) microcapsules were studied. Given the best encapsulation condition, carbon steel panels were coated with the self-healing paint. The self-healing effect - triggered by the rupture of the microcapsules caused by an induced mechanical defect in the coating - was demonstrated by techniques as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and by accelerated corrosion tests in salt spray chamber.

La déformation des cellules végétales durant leur croissance génère des formes anisotropes variées. L'enveloppe des cellules en croissance, appelée paroi primaire végétales, est une couche fine, flexible et extensible, faite d'un réseau de microfibrilles de cellulose reliées entre elles par des hémicellulose qui ont une extension directionnelle. Le but de ce travail est d'élaborer des microcapsules biomimétiques possédant une structure similaire à la paroi primaire et d'étudier leur déformation sous une contrainte mécanique. Pour cela, nous avons utilisé les fortes interactions entre les nanocristaux de cellulose (sous-unités des microfibrilles) et les xyloglucanes (hémicellulose la plus répandue) déjà utilisée pour construire des multicouches plan [1]. Pour reproduire la géométrie des cellules, nous avons fabriqué des microcapsules multicouches à partir de nanocristaux de cellulose et de xyloglucanes, en combinant une émulsion d'huile dans l'eau, de dimension de 20µm environ, avec un dépôt couche par couche conduisant à des capsules biomimétiques. La régularité du dépôt de couche a été suivit par un marquage fluorescent sélectif, l'épaisseur et l'organisation de la paroi ont été caractérisées en microscopie électronique. Par séchage et évaporation du coeur d'huile, les capsules ainsi dégonflées présentent diverses formes révélées par des reconstructions 3D à partir de coupes de microscopie confocale. La relation entre les formes obtenus, les dimensions caractéristiques et les propriétés mécaniques de la paroi a été étudiée [2]. Le contrôle de la taille et de l'épaisseur de la capsule permet d'explorer diverses situations de déformations. [1] B. Jean*, L. Heux, F. Dubreuil, G. Chambat & F. Cousin, Non-electrostatic building of biomimetic cellulose-xyloglucan multilayers, Langmuir, 25(7), 3920-3923 (2009) [2] C. Quilliet, C. Zoldesi, C. Riera, A. van Blaaderen, and A. Imhof Anisotropic colloids through non-trivial buckling Eur. Phys. J. E, 27, 13{20} (2008)

O design de produto através de suas interfaces multidisciplinares possibilita o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias destinadas a pessoas com deficiência física. A Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) engloba todo arsenal de recursos e serviços que contribuem para proporcionar ou ampliar habilidades funcionais de pessoas com deficiência e tem como principal exemplo a cadeira de rodas, onde o usuário fica longos períodos na posição sentada e o conforto térmico é necessário. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se microcápsulas de eicosano e impregnou-se espumas de poliuretano (PU) com as microcápsulas visando o conforto térmico nessas espumas. O eicosano é um material de mudança de fase (PCM) com temperatura de mudança de fase ao redor de 37°C, que é igual a temperatura de equilíbrio térmico do corpo humano. As microcápsulas inseridas em espumas de poliuretano possuem potencial uso na Tecnologia Assistiva, mais especificamente em assentos de cadeiras de rodas visando o conforto térmico. As microcápsulas foram obtidas através da polimerização in-situ, utilizando resina melamina-formaldeído como invólucro e eicosano como núcleo. As técnicas usadas para a caracterização das microcápsulas envolveram análises de microscopia óptica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), granulometria, Espectroscopia do Infravermelho por Transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC). As microcápsulas de eicosano foram então inseridas em espumas de poliuretano com diferentes densidades e foram analisadas por termografia. As microcápsulas de eicosano impregnadas nas espumas de PU possuem capacidade de absorver ou liberar calor do ambiente circundante e manter a temperatura ao seu redor constante por um determinado período de tempo, sendo assim possuem aplicação potencial na Tecnologia Assistiva, como em assentos de cadeiras de roda por exemplo, devido a sua capacidade de isolamento térmico e absorção ou liberação de calor enquanto ocorre a mudança de fase do eicosano. / The product design through its multidisciplinary interfaces allows de development of new technologies for people with some physical disability. The Assistive Technology (TA) includes all the resources and services that contribute to give and enlarge the functional abilities of people with some disability. The most significant sample of TA resource is the wheel chair, where the person stays long time in the seat position and the thermal comfort is necessary. In this work, microcapsules of eicosane were developed and then polyurethane foams were impregnated with the microcapsules aiming the thermal comfort on the polyurethane foams. The eicosane is a phase change material (PCM) with temperature of phase change of 37°C which is similar to the human body temperature in thermal equilibrium. The microcapsules added to the polyurethane foams have potential use on the Assistive Technology, more specifically on cushion seats aiming the thermal comfort. The microcapsules were obtained by in-situ polymerization using resin melamine-formaldehyde as wall and eicosane as the core. The analysis used to evaluate the properties of the microcapsules were: optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Then the microcapsules of eicosane were added in polyurethane foams with different densities and were analyzed by infrared thermography. The microcapsules of eicosane added to the polyurethane foams present the capacity of absorb or release heat to the environment and maintain the around temperature constant for a period of time. So they have potential application on the Assistive Techology, as wheel chair cushion seats for example, due to its capacity of thermal insulation and absorption or release of heat while occurs the eicosane phase change.

O design de produto através de suas interfaces multidisciplinares possibilita o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias destinadas a pessoas com deficiência física. A Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) engloba todo arsenal de recursos e serviços que contribuem para proporcionar ou ampliar habilidades funcionais de pessoas com deficiência e tem como principal exemplo a cadeira de rodas, onde o usuário fica longos períodos na posição sentada e o conforto térmico é necessário. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se microcápsulas de eicosano e impregnou-se espumas de poliuretano (PU) com as microcápsulas visando o conforto térmico nessas espumas. O eicosano é um material de mudança de fase (PCM) com temperatura de mudança de fase ao redor de 37°C, que é igual a temperatura de equilíbrio térmico do corpo humano. As microcápsulas inseridas em espumas de poliuretano possuem potencial uso na Tecnologia Assistiva, mais especificamente em assentos de cadeiras de rodas visando o conforto térmico. As microcápsulas foram obtidas através da polimerização in-situ, utilizando resina melamina-formaldeído como invólucro e eicosano como núcleo. As técnicas usadas para a caracterização das microcápsulas envolveram análises de microscopia óptica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), granulometria, Espectroscopia do Infravermelho por Transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC). As microcápsulas de eicosano foram então inseridas em espumas de poliuretano com diferentes densidades e foram analisadas por termografia. As microcápsulas de eicosano impregnadas nas espumas de PU possuem capacidade de absorver ou liberar calor do ambiente circundante e manter a temperatura ao seu redor constante por um determinado período de tempo, sendo assim possuem aplicação potencial na Tecnologia Assistiva, como em assentos de cadeiras de roda por exemplo, devido a sua capacidade de isolamento térmico e absorção ou liberação de calor enquanto ocorre a mudança de fase do eicosano. / The product design through its multidisciplinary interfaces allows de development of new technologies for people with some physical disability. The Assistive Technology (TA) includes all the resources and services that contribute to give and enlarge the functional abilities of people with some disability. The most significant sample of TA resource is the wheel chair, where the person stays long time in the seat position and the thermal comfort is necessary. In this work, microcapsules of eicosane were developed and then polyurethane foams were impregnated with the microcapsules aiming the thermal comfort on the polyurethane foams. The eicosane is a phase change material (PCM) with temperature of phase change of 37°C which is similar to the human body temperature in thermal equilibrium. The microcapsules added to the polyurethane foams have potential use on the Assistive Technology, more specifically on cushion seats aiming the thermal comfort. The microcapsules were obtained by in-situ polymerization using resin melamine-formaldehyde as wall and eicosane as the core. The analysis used to evaluate the properties of the microcapsules were: optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Then the microcapsules of eicosane were added in polyurethane foams with different densities and were analyzed by infrared thermography. The microcapsules of eicosane added to the polyurethane foams present the capacity of absorb or release heat to the environment and maintain the around temperature constant for a period of time. So they have potential application on the Assistive Techology, as wheel chair cushion seats for example, due to its capacity of thermal insulation and absorption or release of heat while occurs the eicosane phase change.

O design de produto através de suas interfaces multidisciplinares possibilita o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias destinadas a pessoas com deficiência física. A Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) engloba todo arsenal de recursos e serviços que contribuem para proporcionar ou ampliar habilidades funcionais de pessoas com deficiência e tem como principal exemplo a cadeira de rodas, onde o usuário fica longos períodos na posição sentada e o conforto térmico é necessário. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se microcápsulas de eicosano e impregnou-se espumas de poliuretano (PU) com as microcápsulas visando o conforto térmico nessas espumas. O eicosano é um material de mudança de fase (PCM) com temperatura de mudança de fase ao redor de 37°C, que é igual a temperatura de equilíbrio térmico do corpo humano. As microcápsulas inseridas em espumas de poliuretano possuem potencial uso na Tecnologia Assistiva, mais especificamente em assentos de cadeiras de rodas visando o conforto térmico. As microcápsulas foram obtidas através da polimerização in-situ, utilizando resina melamina-formaldeído como invólucro e eicosano como núcleo. As técnicas usadas para a caracterização das microcápsulas envolveram análises de microscopia óptica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), granulometria, Espectroscopia do Infravermelho por Transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC). As microcápsulas de eicosano foram então inseridas em espumas de poliuretano com diferentes densidades e foram analisadas por termografia. As microcápsulas de eicosano impregnadas nas espumas de PU possuem capacidade de absorver ou liberar calor do ambiente circundante e manter a temperatura ao seu redor constante por um determinado período de tempo, sendo assim possuem aplicação potencial na Tecnologia Assistiva, como em assentos de cadeiras de roda por exemplo, devido a sua capacidade de isolamento térmico e absorção ou liberação de calor enquanto ocorre a mudança de fase do eicosano. / The product design through its multidisciplinary interfaces allows de development of new technologies for people with some physical disability. The Assistive Technology (TA) includes all the resources and services that contribute to give and enlarge the functional abilities of people with some disability. The most significant sample of TA resource is the wheel chair, where the person stays long time in the seat position and the thermal comfort is necessary. In this work, microcapsules of eicosane were developed and then polyurethane foams were impregnated with the microcapsules aiming the thermal comfort on the polyurethane foams. The eicosane is a phase change material (PCM) with temperature of phase change of 37°C which is similar to the human body temperature in thermal equilibrium. The microcapsules added to the polyurethane foams have potential use on the Assistive Technology, more specifically on cushion seats aiming the thermal comfort. The microcapsules were obtained by in-situ polymerization using resin melamine-formaldehyde as wall and eicosane as the core. The analysis used to evaluate the properties of the microcapsules were: optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Then the microcapsules of eicosane were added in polyurethane foams with different densities and were analyzed by infrared thermography. The microcapsules of eicosane added to the polyurethane foams present the capacity of absorb or release heat to the environment and maintain the around temperature constant for a period of time. So they have potential application on the Assistive Techology, as wheel chair cushion seats for example, due to its capacity of thermal insulation and absorption or release of heat while occurs the eicosane phase change.