Antimicrobial Metal Coating on Polymeric Touch Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polymeric common touch surfaces, such as those found in handles and toilet seats, pose a public health risk due to their inability to effectively prevent microbial contamination and transmission, as they lack self-protective properties and can harbor microbes, especially during flu seasons or outbreaks like COVID-19.

Innovation Solution

Applying a continuous antimicrobial metal layer, preferably copper, through electroless deposition or electroplating, to polymeric common touch surfaces to create a non-leaching, long-lasting antimicrobial barrier that kills microbes upon contact, reducing microbial colonization and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polymeric materials are used for common touch surfaces, then ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but antimicrobial protection and public health safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmicrobial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polymeric materials with antimicrobial metal coatings (copper, silver, zinc, or their alloys) to create a composite surface structure. The polymer substrate provides ease of manufacture and cost benefits, while the metallic coating layer provides antimicrobial protection. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both material types in a single functional surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the surface properties of polymeric materials by applying thin metallic coating layers (ranging from nanometer to micrometer thickness). This parameter change transforms the surface from non-antimicrobial to antimicrobial while maintaining the bulk polymer's manufacturing advantages. The coating thickness and composition can be adjusted to optimize both antimicrobial efficacy and manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial metal coatings are applied to polymeric surfaces, then antimicrobial protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin, cost-effective metallic coating layers (copper, silver, zinc, or their alloys) that can be applied through relatively simple processes such as electroplating, electroless deposition, or physical vapor deposition. These thin coatings provide effective antimicrobial protection without requiring complex multi-layer structures or expensive materials, thus limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired antimicrobial effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional antibiotic coatings are used, then initial antimicrobial effect is achieved, but long-term effectiveness deteriorates due to rapid depletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidduration of action

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the inherent antimicrobial properties of metallic materials (copper, silver, zinc, or their alloys) that provide continuous, self-sustaining antimicrobial activity without requiring external replenishment. Unlike depleting antibiotic coatings, these metallic surfaces maintain their antimicrobial effectiveness over extended periods through their intrinsic ability to disrupt microbial cell membranes and generate reactive oxygen species, enabling the surface to serve itself indefinitely without additional input.

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

The antimicrobial metal layer provides sustained protection against bacteria and other microorganisms, significantly reducing their presence on surfaces, thereby minimizing the risk of infection and transmission over an extended period without depleting its effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

Applying a continuous antimicrobial metal layer, preferably copper, through electroless deposition or electroplating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroless deposition: Electrodeposition

Implementation Method 2

Applying a continuous antimicrobial metal layer, preferably copper, through electroless deposition or electroplating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentUS20220338480A1Antimicrobial common touch surfaces

Publication Date: 2022.10.27 JNT TECH LLC

AI summary

An antimicrobial device can include a common touch surface of a non-metallic material, and an antimicrobial metal layer applied to the common touch surface at an average thickness ranging from a single metal atom in thickness to 1 mm.