Hybrid Nanomaterial Sunscreen for UV Protection Without Skin Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sunscreens face issues with inadequate UV protection, environmental degradation, skin irritation, and health concerns due to chemical absorption, and nano-particles pose risks to human and wildlife health, necessitating a safer and more effective formulation.

Innovation Solution

A sunscreen formulation incorporating carbon quantum dots and metal-organic framework particles, dispersed in a liquid carrier with a stabilizer, providing comprehensive UV protection and enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical UV-filtering agents (oxybenzone, octinoxate) are used, then UV protection is provided, but skin absorption occurs leading to hormonal disruptions and health concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV protection efficacyVSAvoidskin absorption and hormonal disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with a metal-organic framework (MOF). The CQDs provide UV absorption while the MOF structure prevents skin penetration, creating a composite that maintains UV protection efficacy while eliminating the harmful absorption effects of traditional chemical filters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The metal-organic framework acts as an intermediary structure that carries the carbon quantum dots on its surface. This MOF intermediary prevents direct contact between the CQDs and skin, serving as a barrier that eliminates harmful absorption while maintaining the UV-filtering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mineral-based alternatives (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are used, then skin safety is improved, but white cast residue affects cosmetic appeal and user compliance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin safetyVSAvoidcosmetic appeal and user compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the size parameter of the UV-filtering particles by using carbon quantum dots at the nanoscale (2-20 nm). This size reduction eliminates the white cast effect associated with larger mineral particles while maintaining skin safety, thereby improving cosmetic appeal and user compliance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If nano-sized particles of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are used, then visible residue is minimized enhancing cosmetic appeal, but potential to penetrate skin barriers and accumulate in aquatic environments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic appealVSAvoidskin barrier penetration and environmental accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The metal-organic framework serves as an intermediary carrier that holds the carbon quantum dots on its surface. This MOF structure prevents the quantum dots from penetrating skin barriers or accumulating in the environment, while still allowing the formulation to achieve good cosmetic appeal through reduced visible residue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If conventional sunscreen formulations are used, then UV protection is provided, but degradation under environmental exposure (sunlight, water, air) occurs reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV protectionVSAvoidformulation stability under environmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material where carbon quantum dots are supported on a metal-organic framework. This composite structure enhances stability under environmental exposure—the MOF framework protects the CQDs from degradation by sunlight, water, and air, while maintaining UV protection efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 formulation offers reliable UV protection, good dispersion, and improved stability under environmental conditions, reducing skin irritation and ecological impact.

Implementation Method 1

carbon quantum dots having reacted units of citric acid and thiamine... The carbon quantum dots are dispersed in the metal-organic framework

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

particles of a metal-organic framework including zinc and reacted units of terephthalic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

The sunscreen formulation includes a liquid carrier and a stabilizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

carbon quantum dots having reacted units of citric acid and thiamine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS12485072B1Eco-friendly and biocompatible hybrid nanomaterials in sunscreen

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 IMAM MOHAMMAD IBN SAUD ISLAMIC UNIV

AI summary

A sunscreen formulation includes carbon quantum dots having reacted units of citric acid and thiamine and particles of a metal-organic framework including zinc and reacted units of terephthalic acid. The sunscreen formulation further comprises a liquid carrier and a stabilizer. The quantum dots are dispersed in the metal-organic framework. The particles of the metal-organic framework are dispersed in the liquid carrier.