Electrostatic Iodine Disinfection Method for Rapid Surface Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfection methods using iodine face issues with instability, solubility, and safety concerns, as well as inefficiencies in applying iodine to large surfaces, leading to unsightly residues and health risks due to inhalation of small droplets or insufficient coverage with larger droplets.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying low concentrations of iodine salts and hydrogen peroxide separately to form iodine biocides directly on surfaces, utilizing electrostatic charging to control droplet size and ensure effective coverage without residual color or odor, allowing for rapid evaporation and safe, efficient disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional iodine disinfectants are painted on surfaces exceeding tens of square centimeters, then effective disinfection is achieved, but the process becomes time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical painting process with an electrostatic spray system that uses electrical fields to atomize and distribute iodine-containing solution droplets across surfaces. This substitution enables rapid coverage of large areas while maintaining disinfection effectiveness through controlled droplet deposition.
2Productivity
If iodine disinfectants are sprayed on surfaces, then application speed increases, but safety issues arise due to inhalation of small droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the electrostatic spray parameters to generate droplets within a specific size range (10-50 microns) that balances coverage efficiency with safety. This parameter optimization ensures droplets are large enough to minimize inhalation risk while remaining small enough for effective surface distribution and rapid evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs rapid evaporation of the iodine-containing solution after spray application, causing the liquid to quickly transition to vapor and leave the surface. This rapid phase change minimizes the time droplets remain in aerosol form, reducing inhalation exposure while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If larger droplets are used for spraying, then deep lung penetration is reduced, but hang time is insufficient to reach distant surfaces due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes droplet size parameters to fall within 10-50 microns, finding the optimal balance between gravitational settling and inhalation risk. This intermediate size range provides sufficient hang time for electrostatic attraction to carry droplets to distant surfaces while remaining large enough to reduce deep lung penetration compared to finer aerosols.
4Reliability
If iodine is applied to surfaces, then disinfection effectiveness is achieved, but unsightly color and residues remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes rapid evaporation of the iodine-containing solution after electrostatic spray application. The quick phase change from liquid to vapor minimizes residual moisture and iodine deposition on surfaces, preventing unsightly stains and residues while maintaining effective disinfection through the brief but sufficient contact time of the applied solution.
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 approach effectively kills microbes with multiple mechanisms, preventing resistance and ensuring safety by forming iodine biocides only on the surface, reducing deep lung penetration, and allowing for quick return to service without additional cleanup.
Implementation Method 1
combining a salt of iodine with hydrogen peroxide has been shown to solve several problems with the use of iodine for disinfection
Implementation Method 2
hydrogen peroxide has been shown to fight microbes
Implementation Method 3
The multiplicity of droplets is electrostatically charged
Implementation Method 4
allowing for rapid evaporation and safe, efficient disinfection
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a method of disinfecting a surface within an area, comprising the steps of: a) dispersing into the area a multiplicity of droplets of a first aqueous composition comprising a first iodine reactant compound that is either a peroxide compound or an iodine salt compound: b) allowing sufficient time for the first aqueous composition to distribute throughout the area, and to deposit and coalesce into a layer upon the surface: c) dispersing into the area a multiplicity of droplets of a second aqueous composition comprising a second iodine reactant compound that is the other of the first iodine reactant compound, and: d) again allowing sufficient time for the droplets of the second aqueous composition to deposit onto the coalesced layer of the first aqueous composition, thereby forming iodine and other iodine biocides in situ and disinfecting the surface.