Adsorptive Membrane for Ionic Contaminant Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional masks struggle to filter ionic foreign substances and ultrafine particles effectively, leading to respiratory issues, and have limited airflow due to small pore sizes required for filtration.
Innovation Solution
A mask with a built-in adsorptive membrane comprising a support member and an adsorptive member made of ion exchange nanofibers, which adsorbs ionic foreign substances and larger particles, allowing for larger pore sizes without compromising filtration efficiency, using a layered structure with nanofibers and potentially including silver yarn for antibacterial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pore size is made very small to improve the filtration performance, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but the flow rate is reduced making it difficult to breathe
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration function is segmented into two distinct layers: a first layer with larger pores for maintaining airflow, and a second layer with smaller pores for achieving fine particle filtration. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between filtration efficiency and flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mask (different layers) are given different pore sizes and filtration properties. The first layer has larger pores optimized for airflow, while the second layer has smaller pores optimized for filtration efficiency. This local differentiation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different parts of the system.
2Device complexity
If conventional physical filtration is used to block fine particles, then the filtration mechanism is simple, but ionic foreign substances such as heavy metals cannot be filtered
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary substance (ionic liquid) is introduced into the second layer to enable adsorption of ionic foreign substances. This intermediary component allows the mask to filter not only particles through physical blocking but also ionic substances through chemical adsorption, significantly expanding filtration capability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second layer is constructed as a composite material combining a base fabric with ionic liquid impregnation. This composite structure provides both the mechanical integrity of the fabric and the chemical adsorption capability of the ionic liquid, enabling filtration of diverse contaminants including ionic foreign substances that conventional materials cannot capture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mask effectively purifies air by adsorbing heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses, enabling stable breathing and convenient use while maintaining high filtration performance, suitable for various applications including medical and industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
made by accumulating ion exchange nanofibers for adsorbing ionic foreign substances in the air which have passed through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
adsorptive membrane comprising a support member and an adsorptive member made of ion exchange nanofibers, which adsorbs ionic foreign substances
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a mask having a built-in adsorptive membrane, the mask including: a mask body having the built-in adsorptive membrane for adsorbing foreign substances contained in air; and a hanger band fixed to the mask body to be hung and fixed to the ear, wherein the adsorptive membrane comprises: a support member having a plurality of first pores; and a first adsorptive member that is stacked on the support member and has a plurality of second pores formed therein and that is made by accumulating ion exchange nanofibers for adsorbing ionic foreign substances in the foreign substances.