Copper-Infused Shoe Soles for Pathogen Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shoes and shoe parts, particularly the outsoles, act as vectors for the transmission of pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, posing a significant risk of cross-contamination, especially in environments where immunocompromised individuals are present.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of anti-infective agents, primarily copper or copper alloys, into shoe soles to inactivate or kill pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses through the oligodynamic effect, utilizing metals dispersed throughout the sole material or in discrete locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-infective agents are incorporated into shoe soles, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but the complexity of manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the sole material by incorporating copper particles, copper alloys, or copper-containing compounds into the polymer matrix. This parameter change provides anti-infective properties that reduce pathogen transmission while maintaining the basic sole structure and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining polymer base materials with copper-based anti-infective agents. This composite structure integrates the anti-infective functionality within the sole material itself, eliminating the need for separate application steps and reducing manufacturing complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
2Reliability
If metals are dispersed throughout the sole material, then anti-infective effectiveness is improved, but the cost of materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anti-infective copper-based materials specifically to the ground-facing surface and non-ground contacting regions of the sole, rather than uniformly throughout the entire shoe. This localized application concentrates the anti-infective effectiveness where pathogens are most likely to contact the shoe while minimizing the total quantity of expensive copper-based materials required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates copper particles or compounds at specific concentrations within the sole material, using just enough anti-infective agent to achieve effective pathogen reduction without excessive material usage. The copper is dispersed at levels sufficient to provide anti-infective properties while controlling material costs.
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 copper-based soles effectively reduce pathogen transmission by killing or inactivating up to 99% of pathogens within minutes to 24 hours, even after wear and tear, providing a proactive barrier against infectious agents.
Implementation Method 1
the outsoles described herein can utilize the oligodynamic effect, in which metals (e.g., heavy metals) have a biocidal effect on bacterial microorganisms and viruses
Data Source
AI summary
Shoe outsoles having anti-infective properties are provided herein, as are methods and materials for making shoes and shoe outsoles having anti-infective properties.