Electrochemical Antimicrobial Face Mask Using Galvanic Cell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional face masks are inadequate in preventing the spread of viruses due to worldwide shortages, environmental impact, reduced filtering efficiency from repeated coughing, and the potential for viruses to thrive on mask surfaces, leading to ineffective infection prevention.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical antimicrobial face mask featuring a galvanic corrosion cell membrane that generates antimicrobial agents through a galvanic electrochemical reaction, combined with a hydrophilic antimicrobial membrane and a regeneration pad to maintain effective antimicrobial agent concentrations, attached to a filtration section for enhanced protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional face masks are used to prevent virus spread, then basic filtration is provided, but filtering efficiency is reduced by repeated coughing and masks become breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidvirus and bacteria proliferation on mask surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful accumulation of moisture and organic matter on mask surfaces into a beneficial electrochemical reaction environment. The moisture and CO2 from breathing, which normally degrade mask performance, are instead used as reactants in a galvanic cell to generate antimicrobial agents that actively destroy viruses and bacteria on the mask surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The mask system is self-sustaining, using the user's own breath (CO2 and moisture) as fuel to generate antimicrobial protection. The electrochemical cell automatically produces antimicrobial agents without external power sources or manual intervention, continuously protecting the mask surface as long as the user breathes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If disposable masks are used to ensure hygiene, then infection prevention is improved, but environmental waste and resource depletion worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidnon-biodegradable mask waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding masks after single use, the patent enables continuous recovery and regeneration of antimicrobial protection. The electrochemical cell continuously regenerates antimicrobial agents from CO2 and moisture, allowing the same mask to maintain protective functionality over extended periods, reducing disposal frequency and waste generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hydrophobic membranes are used in masks to repel fluids, then initial droplet resistance is improved, but droplet trapping efficiency decreases as droplets bounce off the surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid droplet repulsionVSAvoidaerosol droplet trapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface properties of the mask membrane from purely hydrophobic to electrochemically active. By introducing electrochemical reactions at the membrane surface, the mask gains the ability to generate antimicrobial agents that enhance droplet trapping while maintaining appropriate fluid interaction properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 electrochemical antimicrobial face mask effectively inactivates microbes, maintaining antimicrobial agent concentrations between 1 ppm to 10 ppm, providing improved protection against viral transmission by capturing and destroying airborne pathogens.

Implementation Method 1

a galvanic corrosion cell membrane configured to generate antimicrobial agents via a galvanic electrochemical reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic electrochemical reaction: Galvanometer

Implementation Method 2

a hydrophilic antimicrobial membrane configured to inactivate microbes using the antimicrobial agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentUS11375761B2Electrochemical antimicrobial face mask

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 HSIEN CHI CHEN

AI summary

Apparatuses of electrochemical antimicrobial face masks and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, an electrochemical antimicrobial face mask may include an electrochemical antimicrobial section configured to inactivate microbes that are in contact with the electrochemical antimicrobial section, and a filtration section configured to provide additional protection that prevents a user from breathing in the microbes, and where the electrochemical antimicrobial section is attached to the filtration section. The electrochemical antimicrobial section may include a galvanic corrosion cell membrane configured to generate antimicrobial agents via a galvanic electrochemical reaction, a hydrophilic antimicrobial membrane configured to inactivate microbes using the antimicrobial agents, and a regeneration pad configured to supply materials to the galvanic corrosion cell membrane for generating the antimicrobial agents.