Aerosol-Surface Interface Sanitization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sanitization systems are inefficient in disinfecting indoor environments due to unsuitable particle sizes of aerosols, lack of effectiveness against multiple pathogens, and labor-intensive manual methods, which fail to reach all surfaces and corners effectively.
Innovation Solution
An automated surface-aerosol interface sanitization system using a nebulizer with a non-toxic, non-corrosive, biocompatible sanitizer formulation comprising an organic acid, peptide, polymer binder, surfactant, and essential oil, optimized for nebulization with droplet sizes and viscosity to ensure comprehensive disinfection of airborne and surface microbes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual wiping or spraying is used for sanitization, then the process is simple to operate, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and may not reach all surfaces and corners effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical wiping/spraying operations with an automated aerosol generation and distribution system. The system uses a nebulizer to convert sanitizer liquid into fine aerosol particles that are automatically dispersed throughout the indoor environment, eliminating manual labor while achieving comprehensive surface and airborne disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aerosol technology using pneumatic principles to generate, distribute, and deposit sanitizer particles. The nebulizer creates aerosol droplets that are carried by air currents to reach all surfaces and corners, leveraging fluid dynamics to achieve uniform distribution without manual intervention.
2Ease of manufacture
If commercial sanitization products are used, then they are readily available, but the particle size of aerosols is not optimized for complete disinfection of every corner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the aerosol particle size parameter to a specific range (1-10 micrometers) for maximum effectiveness. This controlled particle size ensures the aerosol can penetrate into hard-to-reach areas while maintaining sufficient residence time on surfaces for effective disinfection, addressing the particle size deficiency of commercial products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a multi-component sanitizer formulation that provides simultaneous antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. This universal formulation addresses multiple pathogen types with a single optimized aerosol product, enhancing overall disinfection effectiveness.
3Reliability
If traditional sanitizers are used, then they can kill harmful surface microbes, but the efficiency is affected by the composition and spraying method, and may not consider aerodynamic properties of vaporized sanitizer droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite sanitizer formulation containing multiple active ingredients (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, organic acids) combined with aerodynamic carriers. This composite approach ensures both microbial efficacy and optimal aerosol behavior for comprehensive surface and airborne disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified aerosol delivery system that replicates the complex requirements of effective sanitization through standardized nebulizer technology and formulated aerosol properties, making the system both effective and manageable.
4Reliability
If a sanitizer formulation is designed for high effectiveness against multiple pathogens, then disinfection efficiency improves, but the formulation complexity and potential toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration parameters of each active ingredient in the multi-component formulation to achieve effective pathogen elimination while maintaining safety. The aerosol delivery system further reduces exposure concentrations, ensuring high disinfection efficacy without excessive toxicity or corrosiveness.
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 system achieves at least 99% antibacterial activity, 95% antifungal activity, and 99% antiviral activity, with effective distribution and adherence to surfaces, ensuring thorough disinfection of indoor environments while being safe and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a jet or ultrasonic nebulizer configured to emit droplets with sizes of 1 μm to 14 μm
Implementation Method 2
an automated airborne sanitization system comprising a specifically formulated sanitizer and a nebulizer
Implementation Method 3
a spray gun configured to emit droplets of 9 μm to 80 μm
Implementation Method 4
The sanitization formulation is an emulsion formed by membrane emulsification through a membrane emulsifier
Implementation Method 5
membrane emulsification through a membrane emulsifier, where the emulsified particles have a particle size of 0.05 μm to 5 μm
Implementation Method 6
have a settlement rate of 0.3 cm/s to 3 cm/s
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol-surface interface sanitization system comprising a non-toxic, non-corrosive and biocompatible sanitization formulation, and a nebulizer selected from jet-nebulizer, ultrasonic nebulizer or spray gun. This system is designed for interior environment application, and is applicable for both airborne and surface disinfection. The sanitization formulation is formed by membrane emulsification technique to optimize nebulization efficiency through adjustment in viscosity, droplet size, dispersion area and settlement rate, while having a high antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial activity.