Antimicrobial Alloy Core Encased in Stainless Steel Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial agents, including chemical disinfectants and metallic alloys, are either harmful to the environment and humans or prone to oxidation and damage, and struggle to effectively neutralize antibiotic-resistant pathogens without frequent contact and application, especially in environments like hospitals and food preparation facilities.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial article featuring an antimicrobial alloy core, such as copper or silver, encased in a non-antimicrobial stainless steel shield that provides protection and durability, allowing for pathogen neutralization without direct contact through a 'spectrum of efficacy' that effectively kills pathogens within a short time frame, even at a distance, using a combination of copper, silver, or gold alloys with a non-antimicrobial inactive component like nickel or zinc.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical antimicrobial agents are used, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but harm to environment and humans occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from chemical antimicrobial agents to metallic alloy materials (copper, silver, gold) that eliminate pathogens through natural oligodynamic effects. This parameter change in material composition achieves pathogen elimination while removing the harmful chemical residues that affect environment and human health.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite metallic alloy structures combining antimicrobial metals (copper, silver, gold) with base metals (nickel, zinc, aluminum). This composite approach maintains antimicrobial effectiveness while improving durability and reducing oxidation, thereby eliminating pathogens without environmental harm.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial metallic alloys are used, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but oxidation and material damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite metallic alloys where antimicrobial metals (copper, silver, gold) are combined with oxidation-resistant base metals (nickel, zinc, aluminum). The base metals form protective matrices that prevent oxidation of the antimicrobial components, maintaining both pathogen elimination effectiveness and material stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties to different parts of the alloy structure. The antimicrobial metals are distributed within the alloy to provide localized pathogen elimination, while the base metals provide structural stability and oxidation resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between antimicrobial activity and oxidation resistance.
3Reliability
If antimicrobial metallic alloys are used, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but material softness and susceptibility to damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines soft antimicrobial metals (copper, silver, gold) with stronger base metals (nickel, zinc, aluminum) to create composite alloys. The base metals provide structural strength and resistance to physical damage, while the antimicrobial metals maintain pathogen elimination effectiveness. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between antimicrobial activity and mechanical strength.
4Reliability
If direct contact with antimicrobial surface is required, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but frequent application and maintenance are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates surfaces with inherent antimicrobial properties through metallic alloy composition. These surfaces continuously eliminate pathogens through natural oligodynamic effects without requiring external intervention, chemical applications, or frequent maintenance. The material itself performs the antimicrobial function autonomously, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and maintenance time.
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 antimicrobial article achieves up to 70% effectiveness against pathogens within 2-3 hours at a distance of 25 cm, maintaining antimicrobial properties without direct contact and providing physical and chemical durability, effectively reducing pathogen populations in various environments, including healthcare and food production settings.
Implementation Method 1
The antimicrobial core includes an antimicrobial property due to a 'spectrum of efficacy' from an antimicrobial effect produced by the protected antimicrobial core that disinfects, within a relatively short period of time, a surface of the non-antimicrobial shield opposite the antimicrobial core without the core directly contacting the pathogens located on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
An article including an antimicrobial core material and a shielding material encasing the core material such that the core material is not exposed to the ambient surroundings. The shielding material includes an exterior surface, and the core material includes an antimicrobial material configured to eliminate the pathogens on the exterior surface without contacting the pathogens. Furthermore, the shielding material includes a varying density of antimicrobial particles.