Alkyd Resin Antimicrobial Coatings for Surface Disinfection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing microbiological contamination in water storage and surfaces are energy-intensive, costly, and pose environmental and safety risks, with existing antimicrobial coatings requiring additional biocides or UV radiation.

Innovation Solution

Alkyd resins exhibit inherent antimicrobial properties due to physical interaction with microbial cell membranes, providing effective disinfection and biofilm reduction without the need for external biocides or UV radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heat treatment, ozone, chlorine, UV radiation, or additional biocides are used for disinfection, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but energy consumption, operational costs, and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The alkyd resin coating provides self-service disinfection by inherently preventing microbial adhesion and growth through its hydrophobic surface properties and cell membrane interaction mechanisms, eliminating the need for external energy inputs or additional biocidal agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate disinfection systems (heat treatment apparatus, UV lamps, biocide dosing systems) by incorporating antimicrobial functionality directly into the coating material itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If additional biocidal compounds are added to achieve antimicrobial effects, then disinfection capability is improved, but environmental pollution and safety risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alkyd resin exhibits inherent antimicrobial properties through its molecular structure and surface characteristics, serving its own disinfection function without requiring additional biocidal compounds that could cause environmental pollution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the naturally occurring properties of alkyd resins (hydrophobicity, fatty acid side chains) into a beneficial antimicrobial mechanism that protects against microbial contamination without introducing harmful substances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If additional biocidal compounds are used for antimicrobial protection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and operational costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the protective coating function with the disinfection function into a single integrated alkyd resin coating system, eliminating the need for separate biocide application and monitoring systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating system provides self-service by inherently preventing microbial adhesion and growth through its surface properties, eliminating the need for complex control systems, dosing apparatus, or monitoring equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Alkyd resins effectively deter and kill microorganisms, preventing biofouling and maintaining antimicrobial efficacy over long periods without additional biocidal compounds, reducing energy and safety concerns.

Implementation Method 1

it is believed that alkyd resins by themselves exhibit an antimicrobial and in particular antibacterial effect due to physical interaction between the hydrophobic fatty acid side chains of the alkyd polymer and the cell membranes of for example bacteria contacting a surface equipped with the alkyd resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4083151A1Use of alkyd resins
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 DR KLAUS SCHEPERS PATENTVERWALTUNG
  • EP4083151A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4083151A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4083151A1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of alkyd resins for disinfecting purposes. It further relates to the use of alkyd resins for disinfecting purposes in antimicrobial surfaces, paints or coatings.