Air filter and method for preventing transmission of infections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air filtration methods for preventing infection transmission are inefficient and may not effectively inactivate airborne microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, particularly for respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and often rely on synthetic materials with associated risks.
Innovation Solution
An air filter incorporating a core of metallic copper with an electrically conductive silver coating, embedded in an air-permeable filter body, which enhances the inactivation of microorganisms by utilizing the antimicrobial properties of copper and silver, while maintaining the filter's air permeability and preventing oxidation of copper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air filters are used for preventing infection transmission, then air filtering is provided, but the efficiency of preventing transmission varies and is insufficient for effectively inactivating microorganisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the filter by incorporating copper and silver particles instead of conventional filter materials. This parameter change transforms the filter from a passive physical barrier to an active antimicrobial system that chemically inactivates microorganisms, thereby improving both prevention efficiency and inactivation speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite filter material combining copper particles, silver particles, and binder material. This composite structure provides both the mechanical filtering function and the antimicrobial inactivation function, resolving the contradiction between reliable prevention and rapid inactivation
2Reliability
If copper is used as the active ingredient for inactivating microorganisms, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but copper oxidation reduces filter efficiency over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces silver as an intermediary protective layer around copper particles. The silver coating prevents direct contact between copper and oxygen, thereby preventing copper oxidation while maintaining the antimicrobial effectiveness of copper. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction between antimicrobial effectiveness and duration of action
Solution Approach 2:
The core-shell composite structure of silver-coated copper particles combines the antimicrobial properties of copper with the oxidation resistance of silver, maintaining filter efficiency over extended periods
3Reliability
If metallic particles are embedded in the filter body, then interaction probability with microorganisms is increased, but the filter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic particles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide antimicrobial inactivation, maintain filter structural integrity, and enable electrostatic attraction of microorganisms. This multi-functionality increases inactivation probability without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a porous binder material that can embed metallic particles within its structure while maintaining air permeability. The porous structure allows microorganisms to interact with embedded particles throughout the filter depth without requiring a complex multi-layer design
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 filter effectively inactivates infection-transmitting microorganisms, including respiratory viruses, by increasing interaction probability and maintaining filter efficiency over time, while avoiding synthetic material risks through the use of natural metallic particles.
Implementation Method 1
the silver in these hybrid particles allows slowing down or even preventing the oxidation of copper
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is the use of an active ingredient comprising a plurality of particles having a core of metallic copper with an electrically conductive coating comprising silver for inactivating infection-transmitting micro-organisms. An air filter comprises an air-permeable filter body, the active ingredient and a binder for binding the active ingredient to the air-permeable filter body.