Biocomposite Electrical Conductivity via Particle Encapsulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biocomposite materials made from fibrous materials and polymers have low electrical conductivity, limiting their applications due to static charge buildups and other issues, and existing solutions that enhance conductivity often degrade over time or compromise the material's structural properties.

Innovation Solution

Conductive particles are added to the biocomposite material after molecular bonds have formed between the fibrous material and the polymer, ensuring they are encapsulated and do not interfere with bonding, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity without affecting other properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductive particles are added to enhance electrical conductivity of biocomposite materials, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the location of conductive particles on the exterior can be degraded over time, lessening effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoiddurability of conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming molecular bonds between fibrous material and polymer base before adding conductive particles. This sequence ensures that the conductive particles become encapsulated within the bonded matrix, protecting them from degradation while maintaining electrical conductivity over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by encapsulating conductive particles within the biocomposite material structure. The fibrous material and polymer base form a bonding matrix that surrounds and protects the conductive particles, similar to nested dolls, ensuring long-term durability while maintaining conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If conductive particles are added to biocomposite material, then electrical conductivity is enhanced, but conductive particles may interfere with molecular bonding between fibrous material and polymer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmolecular bonding strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by performing preliminary bonding between fibrous material and polymer base before introducing conductive particles. This timing ensures that molecular bonds form without interference, maintaining structural strength while subsequently achieving electrical conductivity through particle encapsulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If fibrous materials are used to form biocomposite materials, then mechanical strength and other properties are enhanced, but electrical conductivity remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials principle by combining fibrous material, polymer base, and conductive particles into a tri-phase biocomposite system. This multi-component composite maintains the mechanical strength benefits of fibrous materials while adding electrical conductivity through the integrated conductive particles, resolving the property trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 method significantly enhances electrical conductivity of biocomposite materials, allowing for broader applications without compromising their enhanced mechanical strength, light weight, or other properties, enabling uses such as electrical signal boosting and replacing metal components.

Implementation Method 1

As the fibrous material and polymer are mixed or compounded, molecular bonds form between the fibrous material and the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10446289B2Method of providing electrical conductivity properties in biocomposite materials

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

A method to provide enhanced electrical conductivity to the biocomposite material in which fibrous materials are initially combined and mixed with a polymer base. As the fibrous material and polymer are mixed or compounded, molecular bonds form between the fibrous material and the polymer. At this stage of the process the conductive material and/or particles are added to the mixture because the molecular bonds have formed in the biocomposite material, and the conductive particles cannot interfere with the bonding between the fibrous material and the polymer. The conductive particles are encapsulated by the biocomposite material such that the biocomposite mixture is formed with enhanced electrical conductivity properties, while not detrimentally affecting any of the other enhanced properties of the biocomposite material based on the molecular bonding between the fibrous material and the polymer.