Air Purifying Coating With Frustule Particles for Lasting VOC Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air purifying products lose efficacy due to impurities, failing to provide lasting reductions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor environments.

Innovation Solution

An air purifying coating system comprising a carrier agent combined with a diatomic frustule particle dispersion, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide particles, which includes additives for stability and defoaming, applied to surfaces to reduce VOCs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing air purifying products are used, then VOC reduction is achieved initially, but they become inactive as they fill with impurities and lose efficacy over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelasting VOC reduction efficacyVSAvoidduration of VOC reduction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs diatomic frustule particles with porous structures that provide continuous surface area for VOC adsorption. The porous nature allows the particles to maintain active sites for contaminant capture over extended periods without becoming saturated, thereby achieving lasting VOC reduction efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system combining diatomic frustule particles with a carrier agent formulation. This composite approach integrates the high surface area and porosity of the frustule particles with the protective and delivery properties of the carrier, resulting in a stable, long-lasting air purifying coating that maintains efficacy over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If diatomic frustule particle dispersion is added to carrier agent, then VOC reduction capability is enhanced, but product complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC reduction capabilityVSAvoidcoating system composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier agent acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates the integration of diatomic frustule particles into a usable coating formulation. The carrier agent provides a stable matrix that holds the particles, ensures proper dispersion, and delivers the air purifying function while maintaining product usability and limiting complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters such as particle size (1-35 microns), particle concentration (0.1-15 weight percent), and carrier agent composition to achieve effective VOC reduction while maintaining product simplicity. By carefully controlling these parameters, the invention enhances functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If diatomic frustule particles are used, then air purifying function is provided, but particle aggregation may occur reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purifying functionVSAvoidparticle dispersion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier agent serves as a stabilizing intermediary that prevents diatomic frustule particles from aggregating. Through proper formulation with surfactants and dispersants within the carrier, individual particles remain separated and distributed uniformly throughout the coating, maintaining air purifying function and preventing effectiveness loss due to aggregation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 coating system effectively reduces VOCs over time, maintaining air quality by continuously absorbing harmful compounds, while preserving surface properties like chemical resistance and clarity.

Implementation Method 1

The coating system effectively reduces VOCs over time, maintaining air quality by continuously absorbing harmful compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The diatomic frustule particle dispersion may be zinc oxide, titanium oxide, or combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-oxidation: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS12384921B2Air purifying coating system and method for making same
Publication Date: 2025.08.12 BONA AB

AI summary

An air purifying coating system and method for making same having a carrier agent and a diatomic frustule particle dispersion combined with the carrier agent. The diatomic frustule particle dispersion may include diatomic frustule zinc oxide particles, diatomic frustule titanium dioxide particles, or combinations thereof. The coating system may include 70-99.9 weight percent carrier agent and 0.1-30 weight percent diatomic frustule particle dispersion. The carrier agent of the coating system may include a cleaning agent or a polishing agent. The diatomic frustule particle dispersion may include 1-35 micron particle size diatomic frustule particles combined with water and dispersion additive. The dispersion may further include an anti-settling additive, a rheology additive, and/or or a defoamer.