Decontamination Gel with Stimulus-Responsive Viscosity for Immersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination methods for surfaces, particularly those with complex geometries or small parts, face challenges in effectively removing contaminants without dispersing toxic agents into the environment. Current gels are not suitable for immersion or soaking processes, limiting their application to large areas and simple shapes.
Innovation Solution
A decontamination frost is developed, comprising a colloidal solution with an inorganic viscosing agent, an agent that varies viscosity in response to external stimuli, and a decontamination active agent. This frost can be applied by soaking or immersion and undergoes a rapid viscosity increase upon stimulus, ensuring adhesion and preventing drips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid decontaminating solutions are used for immersion or soaking, then the decontamination process is simple and effective for small parts, but the liquid disperses toxic agents into the environment and creates large volumes of chemical effluents
Solution Approach 1:
The decontaminating composition undergoes a phase transition from liquid to gel state. Initially applied as a liquid for easy immersion and penetration, it then transforms into a gel that immobilizes contaminants, preventing their dispersion into the environment while maintaining effective decontamination
Solution Approach 2:
The composition's physical parameters (viscosity, state of matter) are changed through the addition of gelling agents and thickening agents. This allows the same material to provide both liquid-phase penetration and gel-phase containment, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and environmental protection
2Loss of substance
If gels are used for decontamination, then chemical effluents are reduced and solid waste is generated, but existing gels are not suitable for immersion or soaking processes
Solution Approach 1:
The composition exhibits dynamic rheological properties, transitioning from a liquid state during application (enabling immersion) to a gel state during decontamination (reducing effluents). This dynamic behavior allows the same material to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different stages of the process
3Stability of the object's composition
If gels with high viscosity are applied to surfaces, then adhesion is improved and drips are prevented, but the gel cannot effectively infiltrate complex geometries and hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is applied in a liquid state first, allowing it to infiltrate complex geometries and coat all surfaces before gelling. This preliminary liquid phase ensures complete coverage, while the subsequent gel phase provides adhesion and prevents drips, resolving the contradiction between penetration and stability
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 decontamination frost effectively treats small and complexly shaped parts by infiltrating all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas. Upon stimulus, the frost transitions to a high viscosity state, preventing contamination spread and facilitating easy removal of dry residues, thus minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
comprising or consisting of: 0.1% to 30% by mass, preferably 0.1% to 25% by mass, more preferably 5% to 25% by mass, more preferably 8% to 20% by mass, relative to the mass of the gel, of at least one inorganic viscosifying agent
Implementation Method 2
0.01% to 5% by mass, preferably 0.05% to 3% by mass, relative to the mass of the gel, of at least one viscosity variation agent which, when subjected to at least one stimulus, preferably external to the gel, causes a variation in the viscosity of the gel
Implementation Method 3
0.1 to 10 mol/L of gel, preferably 0.5 to 10 mol/L of gel, more preferably 1 to 10 mol/L of gel, of at least one active decontamination agent different from said viscosity variation agent
Implementation Method 4
0.1% to 2% by mass relative to the mass of the gel, of at least one surfactant and preferably at least one non-ionic surfactant
Implementation Method 5
The gel according to the invention is particularly suitable for application to contaminated surfaces of parts by soaking, immersion and for decontaminating contaminated surfaces of parts of small size and/or complex shapes
Data Source
Figure 1A~3C
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AI summary
The invention relates to a decontamination gel consisting of a colloidal solution including: at least one inorganic viscosity-increasing agent, at least one agent for rapidly altering the viscosity, which, when exposed to at least one stimulus, causes a rapid and large variation in the viscosity of the gel, at least one active decontamination agent, at least one surfactant, and optionally at least one superabsorbent polymer, the remainder consisting of a solvent. The invention also relates to a method for decontaminating a part, in particular a part that is small and/or has complex shape, by coating same with a film of said gel.