Self-Assembled Biodegradable Microparticles for Personal Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current personal and home care products containing microparticles, such as microplastics, are environmentally undesirable due to their non-biodegradability and harmful effects on marine ecosystems, and existing polymer particle manufacturing processes are complex, costly, and result in particles with poor mechanical robustness and fouling issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of self-assembled microparticles comprising a bis-acid with two or more carboxylic acid groups and an organic base, which are biodegradable, antimicrobial, and suitable for use in personal and home care products, formed through a process that avoids the use of organic solvents and produces particles with a narrow size distribution and improved mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If microplastics are used in personal and home care products, then mechanical robustness and particle stability are improved, but environmental biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of microparticles from conventional plastics to biodegradable materials including cellulose, starch, chitosan, alginate, gelatin, and proteins. These natural polymers maintain sufficient mechanical robustness for personal care applications while being biodegradable, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite microparticle structures combining multiple biodegradable materials such as cellulose derivatives, starch, and protein materials. These composites achieve the desired mechanical properties through material synergy while maintaining biodegradability, addressing both the strength requirement and environmental concern simultaneously.
2Productivity
If conventional polymer particle manufacturing processes are used, then particle production efficiency is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs self-assembly processes where biodegradable microparticles form spontaneously from aqueous solutions of biopolymers under controlled pH and ionic strength conditions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex polymerization equipment and multiple processing steps, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical polymerization processes with chemical self-assembly mechanisms. Instead of using complex reactors, stirrers, and temperature control systems for polymer synthesis, the process relies on spontaneous microparticle formation through pH adjustment and ionic crosslinking, significantly simplifying the manufacturing system.
3Productivity
If conventional polymer particle manufacturing processes are used, then particle production is improved, but fouling and mechanical robustness issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes particle formation parameters including pH (adjusted to specific ranges for different biopolymers), ionic strength, and crosslinking conditions to produce microparticles with enhanced mechanical robustness and reduced fouling tendencies. The controlled self-assembly process yields particles with uniform size distribution and stable surface properties that resist fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the inherent porous structure of biodegradable microparticles formed from biopolymers, which provides controlled porosity for ingredient release while maintaining structural integrity. The porous network formed during self-assembly creates mechanically robust particles with controlled pore sizes that prevent fouling and enable sustained delivery of active ingredients.
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 self-assembled microparticles provide enhanced antimicrobial activity, improved mechanical robustness, and environmental benefits by being biodegradable, reducing the environmental impact of personal and home care products and offering a viable alternative to microplastics.
Implementation Method 1
self-assembled microparticles
Implementation Method 2
amphiphilic molecules comprising a fatty acid having two or more carboxylic acid groups and a base
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a personal care product or a home care product having self-assembled microparticles having an acid having two or more acid groups and an organic base in a solvent. The microparticles may form into a macrostructure and provide a support for carrying components of a personal care or home care composition. The particle is of micron scale. The microparticle may be obtained by contacting a bis-acid and organic base in a hydrophilic solvent, wherein the acid is insoluble or sparingly soluble in the hydrophilic solvent and the organic base is soluble in a hydrophilic solvent.