Materials and methods of pathogen inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural contact electrification is spontaneous, uneven, and uncontrollable, failing to provide a reliable method for generating uniform electrostatic charges and mechanoradicals at specific surface charge densities necessary for effective pathogen inactivation without cytotoxicity.
Innovation Solution
The NanoFlashing™ process allows for the controlled and homogeneous generation of electrostatic charges and mechanoradicals on material surfaces within a specific range of surface charge density (17 nC/cm2-22 nC/cm2), using non-adhesive polymers and external forces to create a stable and non-cytotoxic environment for pathogen inactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If natural contact electrification is used to generate electrostatic charges on material surfaces, then charge generation occurs spontaneously, but the charge distribution is uneven and heterogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spontaneous mechanical contact electrification process with a controlled system using a high-voltage power supply, corona discharge electrodes, and a controlled atmosphere chamber. This substitution allows precise control over charge generation while achieving uniform charge distribution across material surfaces, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If surface charge density is increased above 22 nC/cm2 to enhance pathogen inactivation, then antimicrobial effectiveness improves, but cytotoxicity to human cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes and maintains surface charge density within the specific range of 17-22 nC/cm2 through controlled corona discharge treatment. This parameter optimization achieves effective pathogen inactivation while avoiding cytotoxic effects on human cells, resolving the contradiction between reliability of pathogen inactivation and harmful cytotoxic effects.
3Productivity
If surface charge density is maintained between 17-22 nC/cm2 for pathogen inactivation, then rapid inactivation of pathogens occurs, but precise control of charge density is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an electrometer to measure surface charge density in real-time and a control system that adjusts the high-voltage power supply output to maintain charge density within the 17-22 nC/cm2 range. This feedback mechanism enables rapid pathogen inactivation while automatically controlling charge density, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
4Reliability
If electrostatic charges are generated on material surfaces for pathogen inactivation, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but charge decay over time reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies corona discharge treatment to specific regions of material surfaces that require pathogen inactivation, creating localized zones of optimized charge density (17-22 nC/cm2). This localized treatment maintains effective antimicrobial activity where needed while reducing overall charge decay, resolving the contradiction between reliability of antimicrobial activity and duration of charge stability.
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 efficiently inactivates pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi within 60 seconds while being non-cytotoxic to human cells, opening applications in sterilization, disinfection, and pathogen inactivation.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention pertains to the field of contact electrification, a natural phenomenon observed in both natural and artificial materials. The NanoFlashing process allows for the uniform and homogeneous generation of electrostatic charges and mechanoradicals on material surfaces when desired
Implementation Method 2
These mechanoradicals, termed as cryptocharges, possess the ability to neutralize active substances in the environment that could potentially induce the decay of electrostatic charges
Data Source
AI summary
Materials with uniform electrostatic surface charge for antimicrobial pathogen inactivation meanwhile preserving safety (non-cytotoxicity) for personal and personnel use and methods for manufacturing such antimicrobial materials and uses thereof.