Functionalized Calcium Phosphate Hybrid Systems via Mechanochemical Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mineral treatments for teeth and bone are inefficient in delivering minerals and require complex chemistries, making them costly and difficult to scale for industrial production, while existing methods for producing functionalized materials often require temperature variations, volatile solvents, and expensive templating molecules.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state mechanochemical method combining tricalcium phosphate with organic materials using a planetary mill to produce functionalized hybrid compounds that can be scaled up for industrial use, eliminating the need for volatile solvents and complex chemistries, and enhancing mineral delivery to teeth and bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mineral treatments are used for teeth and bone, then mineral delivery is achieved, but the treatments are only marginally effective and a large proportion of minerals are unabsorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of calcium phosphate by functionalizing it with organic molecules through mechanochemical treatment. This modification alters the surface properties and crystal structure, transforming the material from poorly absorbed conventional form to highly bioavailable functionalized form that effectively delivers minerals to teeth and bone
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite materials by combining inorganic calcium phosphate with organic functional molecules. This hybrid composite structure integrates the mineral content of calcium phosphate with the bioactive properties of organic molecules, resulting in a material that is both structurally sound and highly absorbable by biological systems
2Manufacturing precision
If hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, micellar templates, or controlled growth in hot volatile solvents are used to produce functionalized materials, then functionalized materials are created, but the processes require wide temperature variations, volatile solvents, reduced pressure systems, expensive templating molecules, and excessive overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex process requirements from conventional synthesis methods. By removing the need for volatile solvents, high temperature variations, reduced pressure systems, and expensive templating molecules, the invention achieves functionalized material production through a simplified mechanochemical approach that requires only mechanical energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex chemical synthesis systems with a mechanical system. Instead of using hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, micellar templates, or controlled growth in hot volatile solvents, the patent employs mechanochemical treatment using ball milling or other mechanical energy input methods to achieve functionalization, thereby substituting complex chemical processes with a simpler mechanical approach
3Productivity
If industry-sized scaling of functionalized material production is achieved, then large-scale production is possible, but conventional chemical processes lack practical scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanochemical process is inherently suitable for scaling because it does not require complex process control systems, expensive equipment, or specialized laboratory conditions. The self-contained nature of mechanical energy input and the absence of volatile solvents or reduced pressure requirements make the process easily transferable from laboratory to industrial scale without proportionally increasing overhead or complexity
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 method produces thermodynamically and kinetically stable materials that slowly release ions, improving remineralization efficacy and bioavailability of minerals, such as calcium and fluoride, and can be used in dental compositions to treat weakened teeth without compromising fluoride bioavailability.
Implementation Method 1
milling the mixture to impart sufficient kinetic energy to break down the organic and inorganic materials into smaller intermediate particles and fuse the intermediate particles together to yield functionalized molecules having both organic and inorganic chemical characteristics
Implementation Method 2
The resulting hybrid materials may slowly dissolve and release ions and moieties due to the complex chemistry created during the alloying process
Data Source
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AI summary
A solid-state method of producing functionalized moieties, including placing predetermined amounts of inorganic and inorganic materials and milling media into a vessel rotatably connected to a turntable platform, an amount of an organic material into the vessel, rotating the vessel in a first direction while turning the turntable platform in a second direction counter to the first direction, milling the inorganic and organic materials into smaller respective organic and inorganic particles, and fusing portions of organic particles to inorganic parties to define functionalized moieties. The inorganic material may include calcium phosphates of varying phases, structure, and composition. The organic material may include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, neutral surfactants, carboxylic acids, polymers, copolymers, block copolymers, and combinations thereof.