Agricultural Oil-in-Water Emulsion Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional agricultural oil-in-water emulsions are complex, viscous, and prone to Oswald ripening, requiring high surface-active agents for stabilization and having limited shelf life, which hinders their effectiveness and stability, especially when used with agriculturally active compounds.

Innovation Solution

A novel oil-in-water emulsion composition is developed, comprising oil globules with a mean particle diameter of less than 800 nanometers, stabilized by a combination of non-ionic lipophilic, non-ionic hydrophilic, and ionic surface-active agents, along with polymeric surface-active agents, forming a lamellar liquid crystal coating to enhance stability and compatibility with agriculturally active compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional agricultural oil-in-water emulsions are used, then they can deliver active ingredients, but they are complex and require high amounts of surface-active agents for stabilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining non-ionic lipophilic surfactants (e.g., Span 20, Span 80), non-ionic hydrophilic surfactants (e.g., Tween 20, Tween 80), and polymeric surfactants (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters). This composite approach creates a synergistic stabilization effect that reduces the total amount of surfactant needed while improving emulsion stability and reducing complexity of formulation optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional agricultural oil-in-water emulsions are used, then they can deliver active ingredients, but they are generally very viscous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls emulsion viscosity by optimizing the oil phase composition (using volatile solvents like isopropyl alcohol that evaporate), adjusting the water-to-oil ratio, and selecting surfactants with appropriate HLB values. The use of volatile co-solvents that evaporate after application further reduces the residual viscosity of the emulsion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional agricultural oil-in-water emulsions are used, then they can deliver active ingredients, but they have a tendency for Oswald ripening of the emulsion globules and separate over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidshelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents Oswald ripening by using a combination of surfactants that create a robust interfacial film around oil globules. The non-ionic lipophilic surfactants adsorb at the oil-water interface, while the hydrophilic and polymeric surfactants extend into the aqueous phase, creating steric and electrostatic barriers that prevent coalescence and Ostwald ripening during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Ease of manufacture

If oil globules with larger particle diameter are used, then they are easier to manufacture, but they separate over time and have reduced stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidemulsion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs intensive homogenization during the emulsification process to pre-form uniformly sized small oil globules (mean diameter 200-800 nm) before storage. This preliminary size reduction and uniform distribution, achieved through high-shear mixing and sonication, prevents subsequent separation and maintains stability throughout the shelf life of the product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 composition achieves stable, low-viscosity emulsions with extended shelf life and improved efficacy, maintaining stability in the presence of electrolytes and at varying temperatures, effectively delivering agriculturally active compounds to target sites.

Implementation Method 1

stabilized by a combination of non-ionic lipophilic, non-ionic hydrophilic, and ionic surface-active agents, along with polymeric surface-active agents, forming a lamellar liquid crystal coating to enhance stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface-active agent stabilization: Surfactant