Artificial faeces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial faeces compositions fail to accurately simulate the substantivity and removal characteristics of real faeces from fabrics, leading to inconsistent experimental results and reduced applicability to real-world scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method using an artificial faecal composition comprising simulated digested-food matter, n-acetylated polysaccharides, and artificial mucus, which mimics the attachment and removal behavior of real faeces, including specific ingredients like dried vegetables, yeast, fiber, fatty acids, and chitosan, to create a consistent and reproducible representation for studying cleaning and soil removal from fabrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real faeces are used in experiments, then the experimental results are representative of real-world scenarios, but the risk of disease transmission and handling repugnance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an artificial faeces composition that copies the essential properties of real faeces including simulated digested-food matter, n-acetylated polysaccharides, artificial mucus, and pigments. This copy provides representative experimental results without the harmful biological properties of real faeces, allowing researchers to study cleaning effectiveness safely.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art artificial faeces compositions are used, then the risk of disease transmission is reduced, but the experimental results are inconsistent with real faeces and lack applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material formulation combining multiple components: simulated digested-food matter (5-40%), n-acetylated polysaccharides (0.1-10%), artificial mucus (0.1-10%), and pigments (0.1-5%). This composite structure replicates the complex properties of real faeces including substantivity to fabrics, while maintaining safety by using synthetic alternatives to biological materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the parameters of each component including pH (adjusted to 6.5-7.5 to match real faeces), viscosity (through polysaccharide concentration), and composition ratios. These parameter adjustments ensure the artificial composition behaves similarly to real faeces in cleaning experiments while remaining safe and consistent.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art artificial faeces are used, then handling safety is improved, but the substantivity to fabrics is insufficient and stains wash out more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the viscosity and composition parameters by incorporating n-acetylated polysaccharides (0.1-10% of composition) and artificial mucus (0.1-10% of composition) to match the adhesive properties of real faeces. This enables the artificial composition to exhibit appropriate substantivity to fabrics, forming stains that resist washing similarly to real faeces while maintaining handling safety.
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 artificial faecal composition effectively replicates the substantivity of real faeces, providing a consistent and reproducible method for assessing cleaning and soil removal from fabrics, reducing the risk of disease transmission and improving the relevance of experimental results.
Implementation Method 1
The composition comprises simulated digested-food matter and an n-acetylated polysaccharide
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial faecal composition comprising: i) simulated digested-food matter, and ii) an n-acetylated polysaccharide.