Hydrophilic Resin Laminate with Microstructure for Long-Term Wettability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrophilic treatments for resin films and glass surfaces are either short-lived, limited to specific substrates, or require significant ultraviolet exposure, making them unsuitable for maintaining long-term hydrophilicity across various applications, especially with resin substrates.
Innovation Solution
A hydrophilic laminate comprising a resin substrate with a hydrophilic resin layer featuring micro convex or concave portions, formed using a transfer matrix and active energy ray curing, which maintains hydrophilicity and can be easily processed and molded into various shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spray coating with anticlouding agent is applied to convert surface to hydrophilic, then wettability is improved, but hydrophilic effect does not last long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a hydrophilic resin layer with micro convex portions or micro concave portions on the resin substrate before actual use. This pre-formed microstructure ensures long-term hydrophilicity without requiring repeated spray coating applications, thereby extending the duration of the hydrophilic effect while maintaining good wettability.
2Reliability
If TiO2 layer with photocatalytic function is placed on glass substrate, then photocatalytic activity is achieved, but application is limited to sites with sufficient ultraviolet rays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from relying on photocatalytic activity (which requires UV light) to utilizing physical microstructure (micro convex portions or micro concave portions). This parameter change allows the hydrophilic effect to work without ultraviolet light, thereby expanding applicability to any location regardless of UV exposure conditions while maintaining reliable hydrophilic performance.
3Ease of operation
If dispersion solution with silicon dioxide fine powder is applied and heated to form micro concavoconvex surface, then hydrophilicity is improved, but substrate material is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a hydrophilic resin with the resin substrate to form a hydrophilic resin layer. This composite structure maintains hydrophilicity through the specific resin composition and microstructure, and is compatible with various resin substrates including acrylic resins, polycarbonates, and polyesters, thereby eliminating substrate material limitations.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If photolithography and etching are used to form convexoconcave portions and oxidize surface, then long-term hydrophilicity is maintained, but technique cannot be applied to resin substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical system of photolithography and etching with a molding system. Instead of using photolithography to create patterns and etching to form microstructures, the patent directly forms micro convex portions or micro concave portions through molding the hydrophilic resin layer. This substitution enables application to resin substrates that cannot withstand photolithography and etching processes, while still achieving long-term hydrophilicity.
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 hydrophilic laminate achieves long-term hydrophilicity without substrate limitations, enhancing visibility and appearance while allowing for easy processing and molding, thus addressing the limitations of existing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating an active energy ray to the uncured resin layer in contact with the transfer matrix with an active energy ray to cure the uncured resin layer
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic resin layer on the substrate made of a resin wherein the hydrophilic resin layer includes micro convex portions or micro concave portions in a surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrophilic laminate, including: a substrate made of a resin; and a hydrophilic resin layer on the substrate made of a resin, wherein the hydrophilic resin layer comprises micro convex portions or micro concave portions in a surface thereof, and wherein a pure water contact angle of the surface of the hydrophilic resin layer is less than 40°.