Anti-microbial Coatings via Composite Polymers for Biofilm Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective anti-microbial compositions that can provide long-lasting, stable, and durable anti-microbial action against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, to prevent infection and biofilm formation on various surfaces and skin, especially in healthcare settings, while withstanding harsh conditions and easy removal with soap and water.
Innovation Solution
The use of alkyl urea polyalkylene imine polymers, optionally combined with anionic and cationic polymers, and guanidine compounds, to create coatings that inhibit biofilm formation and disrupt existing biofilms, offering biocidal and biostatic effects on both non-living surfaces and skin, through application methods such as spraying, dipping, or layering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional anti-microbial agents are used, then immediate anti-microbial action is achieved, but long-lasting durability and resistance to abrasion/washing are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining alkyl urea polyalkylene imine polymer with anionic polymers and optional cationic polymers or guanidine compounds. This multi-component formulation creates a synergistic coating system that provides both immediate anti-microbial activity and long-lasting durability, resisting abrasion and washing while maintaining stable performance under harsh conditions.
2Reliability
If strong anti-microbial coatings are applied to surfaces, then infection prevention is improved, but ease of removal from skin with soap and water deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by formulating the coating composition to exhibit different behaviors on different substrates. On inert surfaces, the coating provides strong, durable anti-microbial protection. On skin, the same coating maintains infection prevention capability but allows easy removal with soap and water, achieving both safety and user convenience through substrate-specific performance.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If coatings are designed to resist abrasion and washing, then durability is improved, but biofilm formation resistance may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by carefully optimizing the molecular weight, charge density, and chemical composition of the polyalkylene imine polymer and its derivatives. These parameter adjustments enable the coating to simultaneously achieve long-term durability resistant to abrasion and washing while maintaining effective anti-microbial activity that prevents biofilm formation throughout the coating's service life.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to coatings, formulations and coating compositions, methods for using the coatings and coating compositions, and methods for applying the coatings to substrates or articles. The coatings disclosed herein are long-lasting, and are suitable for application to a wide variety of substrates or articles, which may include substrates or articles formed from natural and/or artificial materials, including plastic, metal, textiles and/or other artificial materials, and also to living substrates.