Hydrogel Clay via Polyion Complex Cross-Linking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for children's play clay that maintains excellent viscoelastic properties without using boron-containing compounds, which are toxic and regulated, while also ensuring biocompatibility and preventing contamination.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogel is developed using a combination of partially or fully ionized cationic and anionic polymers, or low molecular weight compounds with multiple charges, forming polyion complexes to create physical cross-linking points, which are mixed with particulate materials to produce clay with excellent viscoelastic properties without boron-containing compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If boron-containing compounds are used to produce hydrogel for children's play clay, then the hydrogel can be produced with desired properties, but the clay becomes toxic and regulated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogel productionVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes boron-containing compounds from the hydrogel composition entirely, extracting the harmful element while maintaining the essential viscoelastic properties through alternative polymer combinations (cationic and anionic polymers in specific ratios)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses naturally occurring, biodegradable polymers (starch, cellulose, chitosan, alginate, gelatin) that are non-toxic and safe for children, replacing synthetic boron-containing compounds with environmentally friendly, short-lived natural materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional materials are used for children's play clay, then the clay can be produced easily, but it fails to maintain excellent viscoelastic properties during continuous stretching and shrinking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclay productionVSAvoidviscoelastic properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite hydrogel system combining multiple polymer types (cationic and anionic polymers) in specific weight ratios (1:99 to 95:5) to achieve synergistic viscoelastic properties that maintain stability during repeated deformation, neither polymer alone could achieve this performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If boron-containing compounds are used in hydrogel, then the hydrogel structure can be formed, but the biocompatibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogel structureVSAvoidbiocompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using naturally occurring polymers with inherent biocompatibility (starch, cellulose, chitosan, alginate, gelatin) instead of boron-containing compounds, maintaining structural integrity through natural polymer interactions rather than chemical crosslinking agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 hydrogel provides clay with high biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and excellent viscoelastic properties, suitable for children's play clay, replacing traditional boron-containing hydrogels while maintaining texture and compatibility with materials like sand.

Implementation Method 1

The cationic polymer and at least one selected from the group consisting of the anionic polymer and the low molecular weight compound having two or more anionic groups; or the anionic polymer and at least one selected from the group consisting of the cationic polymer and the low molecular weight compound having two or more cationic groups; may form a polyion complex with each other to include one or more physical cross-linking points.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentUS11230640B2Hydrogel for producing clay, production method thereof, and clay comprising the same
Publication Date: 2022.01.25 DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

A hydrogel includes: a partially or fully ionized cationic polymer and at least one selected from the group consisting of a partially or fully ionized anionic polymer and a low molecular weight compound having two or more anionic groups; or a partially or fully ionized anionic polymer and at least one selected from the group consisting of a partially or fully ionized cationic polymer and a low molecular weight compound having two or more cationic groups; and water. The hydrogel can be used for for producing clay with viscoelastic properties.