Hydrophilic Coating System for Microgravity Humidity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydrophilic coatings in closed environments, such as space applications, face challenges in effectively removing humidity and preventing microbial proliferation on condensing surfaces, which can lead to equipment malfunction and passage blockages due to organic contaminants and antimicrobial agent degradation.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophilic coating system comprising a first and second coating, where the first coating is applied to the condensing surface with specific adhesive, insolubilizer, inorganic, and antimicrobial agents, followed by a second coating with additional antimicrobial agents, allowing for effective water wicking and antimicrobial properties while maintaining structural integrity and preventing flaking, cracking, and thickness issues in narrow passages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a hydrophilic coating is applied to a condensing surface to remove humidity, then water collection efficiency is improved, but microbial proliferation occurs on the coating surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater collection efficiencyVSAvoidmicrobial proliferation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is formulated as a composite material containing hydrophilic agents (such as silica, calcium silicate, or aluminum silicate) combined with antimicrobial agents (such as silver oxide, zinc oxide, or copper oxide). This composite structure allows the coating to simultaneously exhibit hydrophilic properties for water collection and antimicrobial properties to prevent microbial growth, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial agents are added to the hydrophilic coating to prevent microbial proliferation, then microbial growth is inhibited, but the coating material degrades over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial growth inhibitionVSAvoidcoating durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies optimized concentration ranges for antimicrobial agents (0.5-5.0 wt%, preferably 1.0-3.0 wt%) within the coating formulation. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient antimicrobial activity while preventing excessive degradation of the coating material. The balanced composition maintains both microbial inhibition and coating durability over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a thick coating is applied to ensure adequate antimicrobial protection, then microbial prevention is improved, but passage blockages occur in narrow passages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial preventionVSAvoidpassage blockages

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is designed to provide uniform distribution of antimicrobial agents throughout the coating thickness, ensuring that even thin coatings (5-20 micrometers) deliver adequate microbial prevention. The localized effectiveness of the antimicrobial components allows thin coating application that prevents blockages in narrow passages while maintaining sufficient antimicrobial protection through optimized material distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of energy

If organic contaminants accumulate on the condensing surface, then heat exchange efficiency decreases, but microbial growth is promoted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidmicrobial growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic coating with antimicrobial properties converts the potential harm of organic contaminant accumulation into benefit by preventing microbial growth on the contaminants. The coating allows organic contaminants to accumulate without promoting microbial proliferation, thereby maintaining heat exchange efficiency while preventing the secondary harm of microbial growth that would otherwise be promoted by organic buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 coating system effectively removes humidity, prevents microbial growth, and maintains functionality by adding antimicrobial character and structural integrity, with minimal thickness addition, ensuring efficient operation in microgravity environments and narrow passages.

Implementation Method 1

a condensing surface, a first coating applied to the condensing surface, and a second coating applied to the first coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

each of the first and second coatings comprising: an adhesive agent, an insolubilizer, an inorganic compound, and an antimicrobial agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10081732B2Hydrophilic coating system

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A hydrophilic coating system may comprise a second coating disposed on a condensing surface, the second coating comprising a second adhesive agent, a second insolubilizer, a second inorganic compound, and a second antimicrobial agent. The second coating may comprise between 40% and 50% by weight second adhesive agent, between 12% and 16% by weight second insolubilizer, between 30% and 40% by weight second inorganic compound, and between 3% and 4% by weight second antimicrobial agent.