Anodized Metal Filter with Antimicrobial Oxide Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filters for fluids lack effective antimicrobial properties, which are essential for applications where microbial contamination is a concern, such as in air conditioning and water circulation systems.
Innovation Solution
An anodized metal filter with a porous oxide layer infused with antimicrobial substances, featuring randomly deformed thread-like elements in non-permanent contact to create non-linear pathways, enhancing fluid interaction and antimicrobial action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filters are used for mechanical filtering, then particles can be separated from fluids, but antimicrobial action is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs an anodized metal structure with controlled porosity, where the anodization process creates a porous oxide layer on the metal surface. This porous structure provides increased surface area for antimicrobial substance deposition while maintaining mechanical filtering capabilities, allowing simultaneous particle separation and microbial inactivation
Solution Approach 2:
The filter combines multiple materials and functions: metal base material providing structural integrity, anodized oxide layer providing porous surface, and antimicrobial substances (such as silver compounds) providing biological protection. This composite approach integrates mechanical filtering with antimicrobial action in a single filter element
2Productivity
If the filter structure uses regular contact between thread-like elements, then mechanical strength is maintained, but fluid interaction and antimicrobial efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter incorporates randomly deformed thread-like elements that create non-linear, curved pathways instead of straight regular contacts. This deformation increases the tortuosity of fluid flow paths, enhancing contact time between fluid and filter media while the random arrangement maintains structural integrity through distributed stress points
3Reliability
If the pores in the anodized layer are left open, then antimicrobial substances can be infused, but the filter lacks sealing and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The anodization process is performed first to create the porous oxide layer structure, which then serves as a pre-prepared substrate for subsequent antimicrobial substance infusion. This preliminary creation of the porous structure allows controlled impregnation of antimicrobial agents before final sealing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The anodized metal layer maintains a controlled porous structure that allows antimicrobial substances to be infused into the pore network. The porosity is sufficient to accommodate and retain antimicrobial compounds while the subsequent sealing process closes the pores to prevent substance loss, achieving both retention and durability
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 removes particles and microorganisms from fluids while providing a significant antimicrobial action, demonstrated by substantial reductions in bacterial counts in experimental tests, making it suitable for various applications including air conditioning and water purification systems.
Implementation Method 1
a superficial porous layer of an oxide of said metal comprising at least one antimicrobial substance
Implementation Method 2
Anodization, an irreversible electrolytic passivation treatment, is a process commonly used to increase the resistance to corrosion and to wear of various metals including aluminum and its alloys. This process involves the formation of a thin and non-removable layer of oxide on the surface of the treated metal.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a metal filter for fluids. More particularly, it relates to a filter made of anodized metal, wherein said metal comprises a superficial porous layer of an oxide of said metal, comprising at least one antimicrobial substance, wherein said filter comprises a plurality of thread-like elements of said anodized metal, at least partially in non-permanent contact with each other, randomly deformed to form a plurality of non-linear pathways.