Electrolyte Ion Exchange for Low-Energy Inorganic Compound Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing inorganic compounds in the form of blocks or granules, such as sintering and curing reactions, result in high energy consumption, environmental impact, and functional deterioration, and are not applicable to thermally decomposable compounds.

Innovation Solution

A production method that utilizes a low-energy process involving the immersion of inorganic compounds in electrolyte solutions to precipitate new compounds without sintering, creating products with core-shell structures or interconnected porosity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If organic compounds are used as starting materials for synthesizing inorganic compounds, then the synthesis process becomes complex and contamination with organic by-products occurs, but using inorganic compounds as starting materials may limit the available reaction pathways and require stricter purification conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of inorganic compoundVSAvoidcomplexity of synthesis process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes organic by-products from the reaction mixture through filtration and washing steps, separating the desired inorganic compound from contamination sources. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining high purity while managing the complexity of organic-based synthesis pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs solvents with specific properties (polar/non-polar characteristics, boiling points) to selectively dissolve and remove organic by-products. By changing solvent parameters systematically, the process achieves high purity inorganic compounds while managing reaction complexity through controlled parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional synthesis methods are used, then the inorganic compound may contain residual solvents and by-products, but implementing extensive purification steps increases processing time and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of inorganic compoundVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary purification actions during the synthesis process itself, such as in-situ filtration and washing, rather than requiring extensive post-synthesis treatment. This preliminary action approach maintains high purity while minimizing the time loss associated with prolonged purification steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a continuous purification process where filtration, washing, and drying steps are performed in sequence without interrupting the overall production flow. This continuous action maintains productivity while ensuring thorough removal of residual solvents and by-products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the inorganic compound is not fully purified, then productivity is maintained, but the resulting product may cause health issues or environmental pollution when used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidhealth and environmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts potentially harmful residual solvents and by-products into removable waste streams through systematic purification. By designing the process to specifically target and eliminate these harmful substances, the method maintains productivity while ensuring the final product is safe for health and environmental applications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs oxidation treatments to decompose and remove organic by-products and residual solvents that pose health and environmental risks. This accelerated oxidation ensures complete elimination of harmful substances while maintaining production efficiency through controlled reaction conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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

This method enables the production of highly active inorganic compounds with improved functionality and reduced environmental impact, preserving macro forms and enhancing properties like osteoconductivity and tissue compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

reacting an organic compound with an inorganic compound, thereby producing a product inorganic compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

reacting an organic compound with an inorganic compound in a solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3190089B1Method for manufacturing product inorganic compound and product inorganic compound
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 KYUSHU UNIV
  • EP3190089B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1k
  • EP3190089B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f
  • EP3190089B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

There is provided a method of producing a product inorganic compound including: a step A in which a raw material inorganic compound having a volume of 10-13 m3 or more is immersed in an electrolyte aqueous solution or an electrolyte suspension; a step B1 in which anions in the raw material inorganic compound are exchanged with anions in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension; a step B2 in which cations in the raw material inorganic compound are exchanged with cations in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension; or a step B3 in which a component (provided that it excludes water, hydrogen, and oxygen) in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension that is not included in the raw material inorganic compound is made to be included in the raw material inorganic compound; and a step C in which a product inorganic compound having a volume of 10-13 m3 or more is obtained from the raw material inorganic compound, wherein the raw material inorganic compound has a solubility that is greater than 0 and 5 or less with respect to distilled water or the electrolyte aqueous solution at 20 °C, and wherein, in the electrolyte aqueous solution or the electrolyte suspension in which the raw material inorganic compound is immersed, at least, elements other than hydrogen and oxygen, which are included in the product inorganic compound but not included in the raw material inorganic compound are included (provided that it excludes a production method in which an apatite without pores with a diameter of 20 µm or more and an aspect ratio of 2 or more is produced from at least one selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate dihydrate, α-type tricalcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate, a production method in which calcium sulfate is immersed in an ammonia or alkali metal hydroxide-containing aqueous solution, carbon dioxide is introduced into the aqueous solution, and calcium carbonate without pores with a diameter of 20 µm or more and an aspect ratio of 2 or more is produced, and a production method in which a product inorganic compound is calcium hydrogen phosphate without pores with a diameter of 20 µm or more and an aspect ratio of 2 or more).