Colorless Copper Material for Antimicrobial Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a colorless material that maintains high antimicrobial activity, as copper-containing materials like cuprous oxide are often colored and the addition of colorants to adjust color can reduce antimicrobial efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A colorless material comprising a carrier, copper-containing particles such as copper-containing glass or cuprous oxide, and either sodium thiocyanate or titanium dioxide, which achieves a high antimicrobial activity without altering its color, with the copper-containing particles being present in amounts up to 200 g/gallon and sodium thiocyanate or titanium dioxide in specific concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper-containing materials (cuprous oxide, metallic copper) are used as antimicrobial additives, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but color appearance deteriorates (materials become highly colored)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cuprous oxide particles as an intermediary carrier that delivers copper ions to the surface. These particles are combined with a clear or white binder and transparent fillers (such as silica, alumina, or titania) to create a composite material that maintains antimicrobial activity while achieving the desired colorless or white appearance. The cuprous oxide particles serve as the active antimicrobial agent while the binder and fillers mediate the optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system consisting of multiple components: cuprous oxide particles (antimicrobial active), clear/white binder (matrix material), and transparent fillers (optical modifiers). This composite structure allows each component to contribute its specific function - the cuprous oxide provides antimicrobial activity, the binder provides structural integrity and color neutrality, and the fillers enhance transparency or whiteness without compromising the antimicrobial properties.
2Illumination intensity
If colorants are added to adjust the color of copper-containing materials, then color appearance is improved, but antimicrobial activity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color adjustment function from the antimicrobial active components. Instead of adding colorants to copper-containing materials, the invention uses inherently colorless or white cuprous oxide particles combined with clear binders and transparent fillers. This separation allows the antimicrobial activity to remain concentrated in the cuprous oxide particles while the optical properties are provided by the colorless binder and fillers, avoiding the detrimental interaction between colorants and antimicrobial agents.
3Illumination intensity
If cuprous thiocyanate is used as a white pigment to adjust color, then color appearance is improved (off-white color achieved), but antimicrobial activity deteriorates (high antimicrobial activity not exhibited)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using cuprous oxide particles (Cu2O) instead of cuprous thiocyanate. This parameter change in the copper compound form, combined with the use of transparent fillers and clear binders, maintains the antimicrobial activity while achieving the desired off-white or colorless appearance. The specific particle size, concentration, and composition ratios are optimized to balance optical properties with antimicrobial efficacy.
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 exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and maintains antimicrobial activity for extended periods, ensuring a colorless appearance and effective microbial reduction.
Implementation Method 1
the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus
Implementation Method 2
the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals √(a*2+b*2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.