Bio-nanocompound Ice Nucleation via Immobilized Proteins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ice nucleation technologies require high energy consumption for freezing and do not efficiently reuse ice nucleation agents, leading to increased costs and environmental impact, with existing methods failing to provide stable freezing temperatures and efficient ice formation at temperatures above 0°C.
Innovation Solution
A bio-nanocompound comprising a metal oxide particulate substrate, a linker, and an ice nucleation agent immobilized through a self-assembly method, which enhances ice nucleation at higher temperatures and extends the thawing time, allowing for reusable and stable ice formation down to 0°C with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional ice nucleation methods are used, then ice formation can occur, but high energy consumption is required to maintain freezing temperatures below 0°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the nucleation system by using immobilized INA proteins on solid supports, changing the phase transition characteristics to enable freezing at higher temperatures (above 0°C) thereby reducing energy consumption for cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solid supports (glass beads, magnetic particles, alginate beads) as intermediary carriers that immobilize the INA proteins, enabling the proteins to function as effective nucleation agents at higher temperatures while reducing the energy burden of maintaining sub-zero temperatures
2Productivity
If free INA proteins are used for ice nucleation, then ice formation is achieved, but the proteins cannot be reused leading to increased costs and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery system where INA proteins are immobilized on solid supports that can be easily separated from the aqueous phase after ice formation, allowing the proteins to be recovered, regenerated, and reused for multiple nucleation cycles thereby preventing protein loss and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The immobilized INA proteins on solid supports can be repeatedly used for ice nucleation without degradation, as the solid support protects the proteins and enables easy recovery and regeneration, making the system self-sustaining and eliminating the need for continuous protein replenishment
3Use of energy by moving object
If INA proteins are used to raise freezing point above 0°C, then energy consumption is reduced, but the stability and reusability of the nucleation agent is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite materials by combining INA proteins with solid supports (glass beads, magnetic particles, alginate beads), where the inorganic/organic composite structure provides both the nucleation functionality at higher temperatures and the structural stability needed for repeated use and regeneration
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 bio-nanocompound retains high activity during initial uses, decreases exponentially after the third use, but provides a stable cooling chain with increased melting points, enabling multiple reuse and optimizing INA protein consumption, thus reducing energy consumption and environmental impact by approximately 80%.
Implementation Method 1
water freezing is catalyzed between −2° C. and −4° C. in presence of an ice nucleation protein (INP) or INA (Ice Nucleation Agent) proteins that allows water to nucleate forming ice crystals at temperatures higher than those at which this procedure normally occurs
Implementation Method 2
A bio-nanocompound comprising a metal oxide particulate substrate, a linker, and an ice nucleation agent immobilized through a self-assembly method
Data Source
AI summary
A bio-nanocompound incorporating metal oxide particles as substrate, an amino organosilane as linker, a dialdehyde as crosslinking agent and a nucleation agent that utilizes ice nucleating activity to create ice on low energy demand at temperatures down to 0° C. and extend cold chains without increasing energy consumption, wherein even the first application is capable of freezing to different shapes and volumes; a method for producing the bio-nanocompound by self-assembly technique, by mixing the substrate, immobilizing the linker on the substrate, immobilizing the crosslinker on the linker and immobilizing by covalent bonding nucleating agent on the crosslinker; and a coolant having the bio-nanocompound.