Biodegradable Anti-MIC Coating With Encapsulated Bacteria

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing microbially induced corrosion (MIC) are costly, labor-intensive, short-term, environmentally harmful, or not feasible for submerged assets, and existing materials are expensive and toxic.

Innovation Solution

A biodegradable composition comprising a biodegradable polymer base, degradation modifier, encapsulated dormant bacteria, optional encapsulation agent, and activation trigger, which interacts with microbes to prevent MIC and degrades away once the microbes are removed, using components like polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, Bacillus subtilis spores, and trehalose.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cathodic protection is used to prevent MIC, then corrosion prevention is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion preventionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a biodegradable polymer coating that serves as a temporary, low-cost protective barrier. The coating contains encapsulated bacteria that release antimicrobial substances over time, providing cost-effective MIC prevention without the high costs of cathodic protection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable polymer acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers antimicrobial bacteria to the metal surface. The polymer matrix encapsulates and transports the bacteria, releasing them gradually to prevent MIC, thereby mediating between the metal substrate and the antimicrobial agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If ultraviolet sterilization is used to kill microbes, then microbial elimination is improved, but applicability is limited to non-submerged assets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial eliminationVSAvoidapplicability to submerged assets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical UV sterilization method with a biological approach using encapsulated bacteria. The biological system can function in submerged environments where UV light cannot penetrate, expanding applicability to underwater and enclosed spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the delivery mechanism parameter from external UV irradiation to internal biological agents embedded in a polymer matrix. This parameter change enables the system to operate in environments where UV light cannot reach, such as submerged structures and enclosed spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If physical scrapping is used to remove microbes, then microbial removal is improved, but labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial removalVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The biodegradable polymer coating with encapsulated bacteria provides self-service protection. The coating automatically releases antimicrobial substances as it degrades, eliminating the need for manual scrubbing or physical removal of microbes, thereby reducing labor intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer coating provides continuous protection over time as it biodegrades and releases antimicrobial bacteria gradually. This continuous action replaces the intermittent and labor-intensive physical scrapping process, maintaining microbial removal effectiveness without repeated manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If polymer coating is applied to protect metal surfaces, then protection is provided, but durability is reduced compared to metal surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining biodegradable polymer with encapsulated bacteria. This composite provides protective functionality while the biodegradable nature allows it to degrade safely over time, balancing protection with environmental compatibility and eliminating the need for long-lasting non-biodegradable coatings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Reliability

If biocides are used to prevent MIC, then microbial inhibition is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial inhibitionVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of bacterial spores into a beneficial antimicrobial action. The encapsulated Bacillus subtilis spores remain dormant in the polymer matrix and only activate to release antimicrobial substances when needed, transforming a potential hazard into a protective mechanism without environmental toxicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable polymer coating is designed to discard its protective function after use by naturally degrading in the environment. This eliminates the need for persistent toxic chemicals, as the coating and its contents break down safely, recovering environmental integrity while providing microbial inhibition during service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 composition effectively prevents MIC while being cost-effective, customizable, environmentally friendly, and applicable to various materials, with rapid prototyping capabilities, and leaves no residual impact.

Implementation Method 1

a biodegradable polymer base; a degradation modifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

an encapsulated dormant bacteria; an activation trigger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGermination:

Implementation Method 3

The composition interacts with the microbes to prevent MIC, and thereby prevent degradation of a surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrobial competition:

Data Source

PatentUS20260062561A1Anti-microbially induced corrosion biodegradable composition

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

Provided is an anti-microbially induced corrosion biodegradable composition comprising: a biodegradable polymer base; a degradation modifier; an encapsulated dormant bacteria; an optional encapsulation agent; and an activation trigger. In an illustrative embodiment, the biodegradable polymer base comprises polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoates, the degradation modifier comprises Polyethylene glycol (PEG) or Glycerol, the encapsulated dormant bacteria comprises Bacillus subtilis spores, the encapsulation agent comprises calcium alginate or silica microcapsules, and the activation trigger comprises trehalose or glucose. A method of preventing microbially induced corrosion using the disclosed composition is also provided. The inventive composition provides many advantages over other known methods to prevent MIC in that it is significantly cost effective, highly customized, rapidly prototyped, and can be implemented into any material/asset that is already in use.