Color Changeable Adhesive with Dispersed Indicator Particles

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing color changeable indicators for detecting substances like carbon dioxide and ammonia require multiple layers, including adhesives, which increase manufacturing costs and complexity, and can disrupt the chemistry of the indicator materials.

Innovation Solution

Development of a color changeable adhesive that incorporates pigments or dyes directly into adhesive materials, reducing the number of layers from five to three by combining the indicator with a substrate and diffusion layer, maintaining the efficacy and stability of the indicator while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple layers including adhesives are used to create color changeable indicators, then the structural integrity and functionality are maintained, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of color changeable indicatorVSAvoidnumber of layers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the adhesive layer and indicator layer into a single integrated layer. The adhesive contains dispersed indicator particles throughout its matrix, eliminating the need for separate adhesive and indicator layers. This merging reduces the number of layers from five to three while maintaining both the adhesive's bonding function and the indicator's color change functionality through proper formulation and dispersion techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple layers including adhesives are used to create color changeable indicators, then the structural integrity and functionality are maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of color changeable indicatorVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the adhesive layer and indicator layer into a single integrated layer. The adhesive contains dispersed indicator particles throughout its matrix, eliminating the need for separate adhesive and indicator layers. This merging reduces the number of layers from five to three while maintaining both the adhesive's bonding function and the indicator's color change functionality through proper formulation and dispersion techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If adhesives are used in color changeable sensors, then the layers can be bonded together, but the adhesive components may disrupt the chemistry of the color changeable composite

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding between layersVSAvoidchemistry of color changeable material

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the adhesive layer and indicator layer into a single integrated layer. The adhesive contains dispersed indicator particles throughout its matrix, eliminating the need for separate adhesive and indicator layers. This merging reduces the number of layers from five to three while maintaining both the adhesive's bonding function and the indicator's color change functionality through proper formulation and dispersion techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a compatible solvent or dispersant as an intermediary medium to incorporate the indicator particles into the adhesive matrix. This intermediary ensures proper dispersion and compatibility between the hydrophobic indicator particles and the adhesive polymer, preventing chemical disruption while maintaining uniform distribution and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach results in a cost-effective, reliable, and simplified detection method for substances like ammonia and carbon dioxide, suitable for applications in food packaging and medical fields, with improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced interference in indicator chemistry.

Implementation Method 1

When the dye or pigment is exposed to the substance that it is intended to detect, it undergoes a chemical reaction to form the second chemical state. In the second chemical state the dye or pigment appears a second color.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Color changeable materials, e.g. pigments, dyes and/or color changeable particle coated with such pigments or dyes, can be incorporated into adhesive materials while maintaining the efficacy and stability of the color changeable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS10759976B2Color changeable adhesives and methods of making such adhesives

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 THERMOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS LTD

AI summary

Color changeable materials can be incorporated into adhesive materials while maintaining the efficacy and stability of the indicator. The indicators provide simple, reliable, and cost effective detection means for detecting ammonia and carbon dioxide, and may find use in applications such as food packaging and medical applications.