Ionic Liquid Composite Materials for Wound Dressings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composite materials for wound dressings and other applications lack effective antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility, limiting their use in medical and environmental contexts.

Innovation Solution

Development of composite materials comprising structural polysaccharides like cellulose and chitosan, combined with keratin and metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, formed from ionic liquid compositions. These composites are designed to enhance mechanical strength, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional composite materials are used for wound dressings, then basic structural requirements are met, but antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-component composite system combining structural polysaccharides (cellulose, chitosan), structural proteins (keratin), and metal/metal oxide nanoparticles. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength from polysaccharides, antimicrobial activity from metal nanoparticles, and biocompatibility from keratin, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple functional components into a single integrated material system. The structural polysaccharides provide framework and strength, keratin adds biocompatibility and wound healing properties, while metal nanoparticles contribute antimicrobial activity. This merging of functions into one composite material simultaneously improves both antimicrobial reliability and biocompatibility adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If ionic liquid compositions are used to form composite materials, then mechanical strength and structural integrity are improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes ionic liquids to change the physical and chemical parameters of the composite formation process. Ionic liquids enable dissolution of structural polysaccharides and proteins at room temperature, allowing controlled assembly into strong composite structures. The ionic liquid medium facilitates homogeneous distribution of metal nanoparticles and enables precise control over material properties during formation, achieving high mechanical strength while managing processing complexity through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If metal nanoparticles are incorporated into composite materials, then antimicrobial activity is enhanced, but potential toxicity and biocompatibility concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses structural polysaccharides (cellulose, chitosan) and keratin as intermediary materials that encapsulate and stabilize metal nanoparticles. These biocompatible matrices act as mediators between the potentially toxic metal nanoparticles and the biological environment, reducing direct contact and toxicity while maintaining the antimicrobial activity of the metal particles. The intermediary biomaterials shield the toxic effects while preserving the beneficial antimicrobial properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 composite materials demonstrate improved mechanical strength, effective antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria and fungi, and biocompatibility, making them suitable for wound dressings and other applications.

Implementation Method 1

a structural polysaccharide and a structural protein dissolved in one or more ionic liquids forming liquid ionic compositions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles are added to the one or more ionic liquid compositions, for example, as metal salts which subsequently are reduced in situ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP3426719B1Composite materials containing structural polysaccharides and structural proteins and formed from ionic liquid compositions

Publication Date: 2025.02.19 MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY

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AI summary

Disclosed herein are composite materials, ionic liquid compositions for preparing the composite materials, and methods for using the composite materials prepared from the ionic liquid compositions. The composite materials typically include structural polysaccharides, structural proteins, and optionally including metal or metal oxide particles. The composite materials may be prepared from ionic liquid compositions comprising the structural polysaccharides, structural proteins, and the optional metal or metal oxide particles, where the ionic liquid is removed from the ionic liquid compositions to obtain the composite materials.