Cold Storage Material Composition for 2–8°C Medicine Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cold storage materials are not suitable for preserving and refrigerating medicine or food at the optimal temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, as they either melt below this range or require excessive cooling, leading to inefficient energy use and potential deterioration of contents.

Innovation Solution

A cold storage material composed of tetrahydrofuran, water, and at least one silver compound (Ag3PO4, Ag2CO3, or AgO) with a melting point between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius and a crystallization temperature above 0 degrees Celsius, allowing for efficient temperature maintenance and reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cold storage materials are used, then cooling capability is achieved, but melting point is below the desired range (below 2°C) requiring excessive cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelting pointVSAvoidcooling energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the cold storage material by incorporating silver compounds (Ag3PO4, Ag2CO3, or AgO) along with tetrahydrofuran and water. This compositional parameter change directly adjusts the melting point to fall within the 2-8°C range, eliminating the need for excessive cooling and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If cold storage material with low melting point is used, then cooling effect is achieved, but temperature control precision for medicine preservation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control rangeVSAvoidtemperature precision
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By precisely controlling the compositional parameters (ratios of silver compound, tetrahydrofuran, and water) and selecting specific silver compounds with appropriate properties, the patent achieves a melting point within the narrow 2-8°C range. This parameter optimization enables precise temperature control suitable for medicine preservation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If silver compound is added to cold storage material, then melting point is improved to desired range, but material composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelting pointVSAvoidmaterial composition
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite cold storage material by combining silver compounds (Ag3PO4, Ag2CO3, or AgO) with tetrahydrofuran and water in specific ratios. This composite approach achieves the desired melting point range while maintaining a relatively simple three-component system, balancing performance improvement with compositional simplicity.

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 material maintains the desired temperature range for preserving medicine and food, enhancing crystallization efficiency and reducing energy consumption by allowing reuse without the need for extreme cooling.

Implementation Method 1

the cold storage material has a melting point of 2 degrees Celsius or higher and 8 degrees Celsius or lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the cold storage material has a melting point of 2 degrees Celsius or higher and 8 degrees Celsius or lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

the cold storage material has a crystallization temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or higher and lower than the melting point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP4382849B1Cold storage material and cooler box
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP4382849B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4382849B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4382849B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cold storage material of the present disclosure includes: tetrahydrofuran; water; and at least one silver compound selected from the group consisting of silver phosphate represented by a chemical formula Ag3PO4, silver carbonate represented by a chemical formula Ag2CO3, and a silver oxide represented by a chemical formula AgO. This cold storage material has a melting point of 2 degrees Celsius or higher and 8 degrees Celsius or lower and a crystallization temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or higher and lower than the melting point.