Antimicrobial Artificial Marble with Low-Concentration Silver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural stone compositions like granite and marble lack durability and resistance to stains, scratches, heat, and microorganism growth, particularly in humid environments such as bathrooms and kitchens, where health hazards can arise from bacterial and fungal presence.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating antimicrobial substances like Silver or Silver salts at low concentrations (0.002% or less dry weight) into artificial marble, which are active against bacteria, fungi, and mold, and are designed to inhibit or eradicate microorganisms on the surface without leaching, using a matrix that releases the active ingredient only in the presence of bacteria, ensuring stability and effectiveness over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural stone compositions (granite, marble) are used, then aesthetic appearance is maintained, but durability and resistance to stains, scratches, heat, and microorganism growth are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial marble as a composite material combining crushed natural stone, resin binder, and antimicrobial agents. This composite structure provides both the aesthetic appearance of natural stone and enhanced durability, stain resistance, scratch resistance, heat resistance, and antimicrobial properties that natural stone lacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces antimicrobial substances (silver, zinc, copper, or their salts/ions) as intermediary agents within the artificial marble composition. These substances act as mediators that provide antimicrobial protection without compromising the aesthetic or structural properties of the stone composite, effectively addressing microorganism growth resistance.
2Reliability
If high concentrations of antimicrobial substances are added to artificial marble, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but leaching and potential health concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of antimicrobial substances to very low levels (0.001% to 0.01% by weight). This parameter change achieves effective antimicrobial protection while minimizing leaching risks and potential health concerns, demonstrating that lower concentrations can be sufficient when properly integrated into the matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial substances are integrated into a composite matrix of crushed natural stone and resin binder. This composite structure encapsulates the antimicrobial agents, preventing leaching while maintaining their antimicrobial effectiveness over time.
3Reliability
If antimicrobial substances are incorporated into artificial marble, then resistance to microorganism growth is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antimicrobial substance incorporation step with the existing artificial marble manufacturing process. The antimicrobial agents are added during the mixing stage along with the resin binder and crushed stone, eliminating the need for separate treatment steps and keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin binder in the artificial marble serves multiple functions: it binds the crushed stone particles together, provides the matrix for incorporating antimicrobial substances, and contributes to the overall durability and aesthetic appearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components or processes.
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 artificial marble exhibits a greater than 95% reduction in bacterial growth and maintains antimicrobial properties for an extended period, even under extreme conditions, providing a safer and healthier surface for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The antimicrobial substance may be active in the presence of bacteria, fungi, mold, or any combination thereof. The antimicrobial substance may inhibit and/or prevent growth of microorganisms on an external surface of the artificial marble. The antimicrobial substance may eradicate microorganisms on an external surface of the artificial marble.
Implementation Method 2
using a matrix that releases the active ingredient only in the presence of bacteria, ensuring stability and effectiveness over time
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an artificial marble that includes antimicrobial substance, wherein the antimicrobial substance comprises less that about 0.002% (dry weight) of the artificial marble composition.