Arthropod Plastron Breach via Chemical Mixture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for eradicating plastron-bearing arthropods, such as ticks and mites, are ineffective due to their protective plastron, which shields them from chemical exposure, and existing solutions like oxalic acid are toxic to humans and bees, necessitating a safer and more effective method to disrupt their respiration or desiccation.

Innovation Solution

A combination of a low molecular weight non-polar compound, a terpene, and a calcium chelating acidic anion is applied to breach the arthropod's plastron, interfering with its chemical and geometrical composition to degrade its shielding ability, using a mixture that includes terpenes and acidic anions like dipicolinic acid, which are less toxic and more effective than oxalic acid, and can be used at higher concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oxalic acid is used to eradicate plastron-bearing arthropods, then the effectiveness against arthropods is improved, but the toxicity to humans and bees increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness against arthropodsVSAvoidtoxicity to humans and bees

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using dipicolinic acid and phosphoric acid instead of oxalic acid, and by using low molecular weight non-polar compounds with specific molecular weights (below 200 g/mol). These parameter changes maintain effectiveness against the arthropod plastron while reducing toxicity to mammals and bees.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple chemical agents into a composite treatment formulation: low molecular weight non-polar compounds (to breach the plastron), terpenes (to disrupt the cuticular structure), and calcium chelating acidic anions (to interfere with the plastron's chemical composition). This composite approach achieves effective eradication with reduced individual toxin loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the plastron structure is made more robust to protect arthropods, then the protective ability is improved, but the vulnerability to chemical treatments decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective ability of plastronVSAvoidvulnerability to chemical treatments

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment approach segments the plastron's protective functions by targeting its three main components separately: the physical barrier (breached by low molecular weight non-polar compounds), the cuticular structure (disrupted by terpenes), and the chemical composition (interfered with by calcium chelating acidic anions). This multi-segmented attack overcomes the robustness of the integrated plastron structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the treatment compounds by using low molecular weights (below 200 g/mol) for non-polar compounds, enabling them to penetrate the plastron's physical barrier. This parameter change allows the treatment to overcome the plastron's protective strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If higher concentrations of toxic chemicals are used to improve eradication effectiveness, then the killing ability is improved, but the safety to mammals and bees deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeradication effectivenessVSAvoidsafety to mammals and bees

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical safety parameters by selecting dipicolinic acid and phosphoric acid instead of oxalic acid, and by using low molecular weight non-polar compounds. These parameter changes allow the use of higher concentrations for effective eradication while maintaining safety for mammals and bees due to the inherently lower toxicity of these substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach effectively disrupts the arthropod's plastron, reducing their ability to breathe and feed, while being safer for mammals and bees, offering a non-toxic and more effective treatment for infestations by targeting the plastron's exacting chemical and geometrical structure.

Implementation Method 1

a low molecular weight non-polar chemical breacher compound to overcome the oleo resistance of an arthropod plastron

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a calcium chelating acidic anion is applied to breach the arthropod's plastron, interfering with its chemical and geometrical composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical interaction with cuticular lipids:

Data Source

PatentUS11457626B2Method for impairing a Cassie-Baxter state

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 DYER GORDON WAYNE

AI summary

The present invention about using chemicals to interfere with the ability of certain arthropods to shield themselves from their external environment. It teaches to apply chemicals to a specialized portions of the arthropod's body that maintain a gaseous envelope that encoats, protects and extends from the arthropod's skin and, if present, breathing hole. This chemical application causes a failure of this protective envelope, making the arthropod vulnerable its external environment such as to pesticides and can also lead to problems with its ability to breathe.