Disinfectant Composition for Electronic Display Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfectants are not suitable for effectively disinfecting the screen surfaces of electronic devices, particularly mobile communication devices, due to material compatibility issues with plastic surfaces and inadequate microbiological effectiveness against fungi and viruses, leading to a risk of germ transmission in medical and clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A disinfectant composition comprising 25-32% by weight of a mixture of ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol, along with 0.1-2.0% by weight of an antimicrobial amphoteric surfactant, specifically N-alkylaminopropylglycine, and water, which is effective against fungi and viruses without damaging sensitive plastic surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alcohol-based disinfectants are used to disinfect electronic device surfaces, then microbiological effectiveness is improved, but material compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a mixture of three different alcohols (ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol) in specific proportions (5-15% each), rather than using a single high-concentration alcohol. This parameter modification reduces the harshness on plastic materials while maintaining disinfection effectiveness through synergistic action of the alcohol mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfectant formulation creates a composite chemical system by combining multiple alcohol types with an amphoteric surfactant. This composite approach allows the different components to work together, providing both material compatibility (through the surfactant and balanced alcohol mixture) and microbiological effectiveness (through the combined antimicrobial action of the alcohols).
2Reliability
If high alcohol content disinfectants are used, then fungicidal effectiveness is improved, but material compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the alcohol concentration parameter by distributing the total alcohol content across three different alcohol types, each at 5-15% concentration. This results in a lower individual alcohol concentration compared to conventional high-alcohol disinfectants, reducing plastic damage while maintaining fungicidal effectiveness through the combined action of multiple alcohol types and the surfactant.
Solution Approach 2:
The amphoteric surfactant acts as an intermediary substance that enhances the fungicidal effectiveness of the lower-concentration alcohol mixture. The surfactant facilitates better contact and penetration of the alcohol components against fungal cells, compensating for the reduced alcohol concentration while protecting plastic surfaces from damage.
3Reliability
If conventional disinfectants are used on mobile devices, then disinfection capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the formulation parameters to create a disinfectant with balanced properties: moderate alcohol content (25-32% total) provides sufficient disinfection capability, while the inclusion of amphoteric surfactant and water creates a formulation that is less damaging to electronic device materials, thereby improving ease of operation on mobile devices.
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 disinfectant achieves a log 4 reduction in Candida albicans within 0.5 minutes and a log 2-4 reduction in Aspergillus brasiliensis within 5-15 minutes, demonstrating good microbiological effectiveness and material compatibility with temperature-resistant and transparent plastics, reducing the risk of germ transmission on electronic device surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
0.1-2.0% by weight an antimicrobial amphoteric surfactant; where the amphoteric surfactant is N-alkylaminopropylglycine
Implementation Method 2
A disinfectant for rapid disinfection is known from EP 1 020 115 A1, which contains 68-80% by weight of a mixture of monoalcohols. This disinfectant is also effective against viruses, fungi and bacteria due to its high alcohol content.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention provides for the use of a disinfectant consisting of a mixture of ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, an antimicrobial, amphoteric surfactant and water for disinfection of display screen surfaces of electronic devices. Mobile communication devices, especially those which are used in the medical sector, have plastic surfaces, more particularly in the form of display screen surfaces. These cannot be disinfected with conventional alcoholic disinfectants. The disinfectant used in accordance with the invention enables effective eradication of microorganisms such as, more particularly, fungi, bacteria and yeasts, with simultaneously good material compatibility.