Antimicrobial Copper Glass Nanoparticles with Alkyldiol Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Copper glass nanoparticles, while effective as antimicrobial agents in paint films, require high concentrations to achieve preservative effects, leading to undesirable color discoloration that hinders the decorative purpose of paints, and alkyldiol compounds are not known to contribute to biocidal preservative effects in coatings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating copper glass nanoparticles in combination with alkyldiol compounds in paint compositions, which enhances antimicrobial efficacy and allows for lower copper glass concentrations that prevent discoloration, thereby maintaining the paint's color integrity and preservative properties without the need for conventional biocides like isothiazolinones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high concentrations of copper glass nanoparticles are used to achieve preservative effects, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but color discoloration occurs that hinders decorative purpose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidcolor discoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces alkyldiol compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the copper glass nanoparticles and the paint matrix. These compounds facilitate the dispersion and stabilization of copper glass nanoparticles at lower concentrations, preventing aggregation and associated discoloration while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy through the copper ions' interaction with microbial cell membranes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of copper glass nanoparticles from high levels (required for preservative effect) to lower levels (that prevent discoloration). This is achieved by modifying the chemical environment through alkyldiol additives, which enable effective antimicrobial activity at reduced copper concentrations by enhancing the biocidal mechanism's efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional biocides like isothiazolinones are used to ensure paint stability, then preservative effect is achieved, but supply chain and regulatory risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaint stabilityVSAvoidsupply chain complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates conventional biocides (isothiazolinones) from the paint formulation, replacing them with copper glass nanoparticles stabilized by alkyldiol compounds. This removal of problematic substances eliminates supply chain and regulatory risks associated with conventional biocides while maintaining preservative functionality through the natural antimicrobial properties of copper

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs copper glass nanoparticles as a biodegradable, environmentally friendly alternative to persistent synthetic biocides. These nanoparticles provide effective preservative action during the paint's service life and then degrade naturally, avoiding the long-term environmental and regulatory issues of conventional biocides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 combination of copper glass nanoparticles and alkyldiol additives in paint compositions provides enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and improved performance characteristics, enabling effective preservation and color retention, even at lower copper glass concentrations, thus addressing the issue of discoloration and ensuring paint stability and aesthetic quality.

Implementation Method 1

Copper also interacts with lipids, causing holes in the cell membrane of bacteria that leak essential cell nutrients, resulting in cell death

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCell membrane damage:

Implementation Method 2

One mechanism of action by which copper achieves antimicrobial activity is believed to be alteration of protein structures, which renders the proteins useless and resulting in deactivation of bacteria or viruses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtein structure alteration:

Implementation Method 3

Incorporating copper glass nanoparticles in combination with alkyldiol compounds in paint compositions, which enhances antimicrobial efficacy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial synergism:

Data Source

PatentUS11814532B1Coatings with antimicrobial copper glass nanoparticles and diol compounds

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 SWIMC LLC

AI summary

Antimicrobial compositions and coating compositions including antimicrobial compositions including copper glass nanoparticles and an additive alkyldiol compound. Coating compositions including the antimicrobial composition exhibit enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and improved coatings performance characteristics including ability to appropriately shade for a base, starting masstone color, as compared to coatings compositions containing copper glass nanoparticles and no such alkyldiol additives.