DNA Marking Elastomeric Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to embed information within elastomeric materials like silicone rubber without altering their characteristics, and to ensure that the embedded DNA remains stable during high-temperature molding and curing processes, while also allowing for efficient recovery and authentication of the encoded data.
Innovation Solution
The method involves treating DNA with additives such as polyols or glycols, mixing it with elastomeric materials like liquid silicone rubber, and incorporating metal microspheres, followed by molding and curing. This process allows for the embedding of coded DNA in silicone objects, which can be recovered and authenticated using sequencing and polymerase chain reaction techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If DNA is embedded directly into elastomeric material without treatment, then the information storage capability is achieved, but the DNA stability during high-temperature molding and curing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (embedding matrix composed of crosslinker and catalyst) that mediates between the DNA and the elastomeric material during high-temperature processing. This matrix protects the DNA from direct exposure to harsh curing conditions while still allowing the DNA to be embedded and later recovered from the cured material.
2Loss of information
If DNA is embedded in elastomeric material, then information storage within the object is achieved, but the recovery and authentication of the encoded data becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs extraction techniques to remove and recover the embedded DNA from the cured elastomeric material. The DNA can be extracted using chemical or mechanical methods that separate the DNA from the polymer matrix, enabling subsequent authentication and reading of the encoded information without destroying the elastomeric object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements authentication mechanisms that provide feedback to verify the integrity and authenticity of the recovered DNA. This allows confirmation that the extracted DNA is genuine and has not been contaminated or degraded during the embedding and recovery process, ensuring reliable information retrieval.
3Reliability
If DNA is treated with additives to protect during processing, then the DNA stability during high-temperature curing is improved, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single embedding matrix composition that includes both the crosslinker and catalyst. This matrix simultaneously provides structural support for the DNA during processing and facilitates the curing of the elastomeric material, thereby protecting the DNA without requiring separate complex processing steps.
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 method effectively embeds and recovers coded DNA within silicone objects, maintaining its integrity during high-temperature processing, enabling efficient data storage and authentication, suitable for applications in military and commercial settings.
Implementation Method 1
there will protect the DNA during exposure to high temperatures associated with molding and curing elastomeric materials
Implementation Method 2
The mixture may be cured at temperatures equal to or greater than about 150° C. Curing can take place by press curing and post curing.
Implementation Method 3
the coded DNA is recovered by washing the silicone object with solvent comprising methyl ethyl ketone and dichloromethane
Implementation Method 4
amplifying the coded DNA by polymerase chain reaction
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of incorporating coded DNA into elastomeric materials and compositions thereof are claimed. Methods of recovering information from elastomeric materials with coded DNA and authenticating silicone objects with coded DNA are also claimed.