Electroosmotic Pump Electrode Porous Support Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electroosmotic pumps face issues with side reactions due to consumption and detachment of electrochemical reaction materials, leading to increased power consumption and reduced operational time, especially in applications like patch-type drug delivery devices and wearable medical devices.

Innovation Solution

The electroosmotic pump employs electrodes with a porous support including an insulator and an electrochemical reaction material, such as silver/silver oxide, which prevents side reactions by maintaining the electrochemical reaction material's integrity, using non-conductive materials like ceramic, polymer resin, or glass as insulators, and ensuring porosity for fluid and ion transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrodes with electrochemical reaction material (e.g., silver/silver oxide) are used, then electroosmotic pumping function is achieved, but the electrochemical reaction material is consumed and detached over time causing side reactions and increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability and lifespan of electroosmotic pumpVSAvoidoperational time before side reactions occur

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is segmented into two distinct functional layers: a porous support layer providing structural integrity and electrical conductivity, and an electrochemical reaction material layer providing catalytic activity. This segmentation prevents the electrochemical material from detaching while maintaining its functionality, resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The porous support acts as an intermediary between the electrochemical reaction material and the working fluid. It provides a stable substrate that prevents material detachment while allowing ion transport, thereby maintaining pump reliability over extended operational periods without side reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If carbon paper or carbon woven fabric electrodes are used to allow fluid passage, then porosity and fluid flow are improved, but the electrochemical reaction material detaches exposing carbon surface causing water electrolysis side reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveporosity of electrodeVSAvoidside reactions from exposed carbon surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode combines carbon-based porous support material with electrochemical reaction materials (silver, silver oxide, MnO(OH), polyaniline) to create a composite structure. This composite maintains the porosity needed for fluid flow while the electrochemical material coating prevents direct carbon exposure, eliminating water electrolysis side reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode employs a porous support structure that maintains high porosity for adequate fluid and ion transport. The porous structure is coated with electrochemical reaction materials that prevent carbon surface exposure, thereby allowing fluid flow while preventing harmful side reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If platinum is used as electrode material for chemical stability, then electrochemical stability is improved, but hydrogen gas generation occurs due to low hydrogen overpotential limiting commercialization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical stability of electrodeVSAvoidhydrogen gas generation at cathode

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrochemical parameters of the electrode by using materials with different overpotentials (silver, silver oxide, MnO(OH), polyaniline) instead of platinum. These materials have higher hydrogen overpotentials, suppressing hydrogen gas evolution while maintaining electrochemical stability and enabling reversible oxidation-reduction reactions.

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

This design enhances stability, lifespan, and efficiency by preventing unnecessary current and power consumption, reducing manufacturing costs, and ensuring stable operation over long periods without side reactions.

Implementation Method 1

introducing materials which are capable of oxidation and reduction to the electrodes, instead of the electrolysis reaction of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation and reduction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

a porous support including an insulator and an electrochemical reaction material formed on the porous support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS11859602B2Electroosmotic pump and fluid-pumping system comprising the same

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 IPV

AI summary

Provided are an electroosmotic pump, including: a membrane; a first electrode which is provided on one surface of the membrane, including a porous support including an insulator and an electrochemical reaction material formed on the porous support; and a second electrode which is provided on the other surface of the membrane, including a porous support including an insulator and an electrochemical reaction material formed on the porous support, and a fluid-pumping system including the electroosmotic pump.