Luminescent Energy Modulation Agent for Deep Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light-activated processing in adhesive and surface coating applications is limited by the penetration depth of light, leading to uneven curing due to shaded areas and the presence of sealed skins, which increases cure time and requires secondary cure mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An energy modulation agent comprising luminescent particles that emit light upon exposure to initiation energies like x-rays or electron beams, activating photoinitiators within a radiation-curable medium to achieve localized curing within a human or animal body, allowing for patterned element formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light is used to activate curing in adhesive and surface coating applications, then the curing process can be initiated, but the penetration depth of light is limited causing uneven curing in shaded areas and increasing cure time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary light source or energy transfer mechanism as an intermediary to overcome the limited penetration depth of primary curing light. This mediator enables energy transfer to shaded areas and ensures uniform curing throughout the coating thickness, resolving the contradiction between curing uniformity and cure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-directional light irradiation or energy transfer from multiple sources positioned at different angles and depths. By adding spatial dimensions to the curing process, the system achieves uniform energy distribution throughout the coating, eliminating shaded areas and reducing overall cure time.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional light-activated processing is used, then surface curing can be achieved, but sealed skins form that prevent subsequent curing of underlying material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed irradiation patterns that alternate between surface and subsurface energy delivery. This periodic action allows the coating to cure in controlled stages, preventing premature skin formation that would block subsequent curing, while still achieving high surface cure quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary energy treatment or uses a catalyst system that prepares the coating for progressive curing. This preliminary action creates conditions that allow deep penetration energy to effectively cure underlying material without being blocked by prematurely formed surface skins.
3Reliability
If high intensity light is applied to ensure complete curing, then cure completeness improves, but overheating and damage to the substrate may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the curing process into multiple lower-intensity stages or zones, each delivering appropriate energy levels to specific regions. This segmentation avoids concentrating excessive energy that would cause substrate overheating and damage, while still achieving complete curing through cumulative energy delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts curing parameters such as light intensity, wavelength, and exposure duration based on real-time feedback or pre-programmed sequences. By changing these parameters during the process, the system maintains optimal curing effectiveness while preventing substrate damage from excessive heat or energy concentration.
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
Enables efficient and localized curing of radiation-curable media within the body by generating light at specific points, overcoming penetration limitations and reducing cure time, particularly useful for prosthetic device fabrication.
Implementation Method 1
initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to generate light at local points inside the human or animal body
Implementation Method 2
initiation energy comprises at least one of x-rays, gamma rays or an electron beam
Implementation Method 3
activating a photoinitiator in the radiation-curable medium and polymerization of polymers in the medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.