Hydrophobically Modified Urea Ethers for Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polyetheramines lack the ability to effectively modify the rheology of hydrophobic systems, leading to premature release of active ingredients in cosmetics and perfumes, and fail to enhance the absorption profile of skin care compositions.
Innovation Solution
The use of hydrophobically modified urea ethers, specifically those with a molecular weight between 1000 to 7000 Da, which are incorporated into consumer products to increase viscosity and gel formation, thereby improving the retention and absorption of hydrophobic actives in creams and perfumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polyetheramines are used as rheology modifiers in hydrophobic systems, then the formulation is simple and easy to manufacture, but the viscosity increase is insufficient and premature release of active ingredients occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polyether backbone with hydrophobic urea functionalities to create a hybrid molecule that integrates the benefits of both polyether (solubility, flexibility) and urea (hydrophobic interaction, gelation) properties, thereby achieving effective viscosity modification and active ingredient retention in hydrophobic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying the molecular weight (1000-7000 Da), the number and position of hydrophobic urea groups, and the polyether chain length to optimize the balance between solubility, viscosity enhancement, and gelation capability, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness
2Duration of action of stationary object
If hydrophobically modified urea ethers are added to increase viscosity, then the longevity of top notes is improved, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by optimizing the molecular weight range (1000-7000 Da) and the degree of hydrophobic modification to achieve the desired viscosity increase and evaporation delay effect, thereby extending the longevity of top notes while maintaining formulation manageability through defined parameter ranges
3Reliability
If conventional rheology modifiers are used in skin care compositions, then the formulation is straightforward, but the absorption profile of hydrophobic actives is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a hybrid molecule that combines polyether chains (for compatibility with skin and formulation) with hydrophobic urea groups (for interaction with hydrophobic actives and skin lipids), thereby enhancing the absorption profile of hydrophobic actives in skin care compositions while maintaining formulation simplicity
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 incorporation of hydrophobically modified urea ethers significantly enhances the viscosity and gel strength of hydrophobic systems, prolonging the retention of active ingredients on the skin and improving their absorption profile, thereby extending the longevity of top notes in perfumes and enhancing the hydration of skin care products.
Implementation Method 1
introducing some hydrophobic urea functionalities can transform these polyetheramines into efficient rheology modifiers providing not only an increase in viscosity or even gel formation
Implementation Method 2
hydrophobically modified urea ethers, providing a unique combination of solubility in water and oil, and efficient gelation and rheology modification capabilities in a wide variety of solvents
Data Source
AI summary
Consumer product compositions comprising hydrophobically modified urea ethers.