Charged Polymer Microcapsules for Split End Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hair care compositions do not effectively address split ends and hair damage, failing to provide long-lasting repair and prevention of further damage, especially in areas where the superficial cuticle layer is eroded, leading to structural integrity issues and tangling.
Innovation Solution
The use of charged polymer complex microcapsules, formed by an ionic complex of amphiphilic Lewis acid and Lewis base reactants, which are applied to the hair to selectively deposit on damaged areas, repairing split ends by bringing divergent strands together and anchoring them with a matrix of microcapsules that release their contents as they dry, providing a durable and non-tacky repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional hair care compositions are applied to damaged hair, then temporary conditioning may be achieved, but long-lasting repair and prevention of further damage is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsules are applied to hair before damage occurs or at the early stages of damage, allowing preventive action. The capsules are positioned on the hair surface and will release their contents proactively to prevent further deterioration and repair split ends before they become severe structural failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcapsules contain conditioning agents that are released in response to the hair's needs. As the capsules dry on the hair surface, they automatically release their contents to repair damaged areas, providing self-service repair without requiring external intervention or complex application procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If microcapsules are applied to hair surface, then selective deposition on damaged areas is achieved, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsule composition exhibits local quality by selectively depositing on damaged hair areas rather than uniformly coating all hair. The damaged areas have different surface properties (roughness, charge, hydrophobicity) that attract and retain the microcapsules, allowing precise targeting of repair where needed without complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcapsules act as an intermediary carrier that simplifies the delivery system. Instead of using complex controlled-release mechanisms or sophisticated application devices, the patent uses simple microencapsulated particles that naturally target damaged areas through passive deposition, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If microcapsules release their contents as they dry, then durable non-tacky repair is provided, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsules utilize phase transition during drying to control release timing. As the aqueous carrier evaporates and the capsules transition from wet to dry state, this phase change triggers the release of conditioning agents. This natural physical process provides durable repair without requiring complex chemical triggers or controlled-release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcapsules are designed as single-use disposable units that are applied to hair and then discarded after their contents are released. Each capsule provides its repair function once during the drying process, eliminating the need for complex reusable mechanisms or regenerative systems, thereby simplifying the overall formulation while achieving durable results.
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 microcapsule suspension effectively repairs split ends, improving hair appearance and manageability by reducing tangling, flyaway, and breakage resistance, while maintaining the natural flow and softness of hair for up to 24 hours or longer with repeated use, offering an anti-aging benefit by reducing damage accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
the wall including the salt formed from at least one amphiphilic Lewis acid reactant or amphiphilic Lewis base reactant, and at least one corresponding Lewis base reactant or Lewis acid reactant
Implementation Method 2
repairing split ends by bringing divergent strands together and anchoring them with a matrix of microcapsules
Implementation Method 3
release their contents as they dry
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a protein-containing surface, including applying to the surface a microcapsule suspension including droplets of a dispersed water-immiscible core phase, an aqueous continuous phase, and a wall surrounding each core phase droplet, the wall including the salt formed from at least one amphiphilic Lewis acid reactant or amphiphilic Lewis base reactant, and at least one corresponding Lewis base reactant or Lewis acid reactant.