MEL-DMSO Stripping Composition Surface Tension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stripping compositions based on DMSO face challenges due to high surface tension and high melting temperature, which hinder their effectiveness and usability, especially at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) into DMSO compositions to reduce surface tension and lower the melting temperature, thereby enhancing wetting properties and usability in various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If DMSO is used as a solvent in stripping compositions, then toxicity is reduced, but surface tension increases preventing good spreading

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidspreading
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance between DMSO and the substrate surface. The surfactant molecules have hydrophilic heads that interact with DMSO and hydrophobic tails that interact with the substrate, mediating the spreading process and reducing surface tension without compromising the low toxicity benefit of DMSO

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stripping composition is formulated as a composite system combining DMSO with surfactant molecules. This composite approach allows the mixture to exhibit properties that neither component has alone: DMSO provides low toxicity and solvent power, while the surfactant provides reduced surface tension and improved spreading

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If DMSO is used in stripping compositions, then solvent performance is good, but melting temperature is high making use difficult at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolvent performanceVSAvoidmelting temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The addition of surfactant molecules changes the physical parameters of the DMSO-based composition, specifically lowering the melting temperature through disruption of the DMSO molecular network and reduction of intermolecular forces, while maintaining the solvent performance characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If surface tension of DMSO is reduced by adding surfactants, then spreading improves, but composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespreadingVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant is used in small, optimized concentrations (typically 0.1-5% w/v) where it performs its surface tension reduction function locally at the liquid-air and liquid-substrate interfaces, while the bulk composition remains predominantly DMSO with its simple properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 addition of MELs significantly reduces the surface tension and melting temperature of DMSO, improving the composition's ability to spread and function effectively, even at low temperatures, making it suitable for industrial stripping and phytosanitary uses.

Implementation Method 1

DMSO has a particularly high surface tension, which prevents paint strippers containing DMSO from spreading well on the surface being stripped... adding a particular molecule to DMSO makes it possible to both reduce the surface tension of DMSO

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

DMSO's melting point of approximately 18.5°C is particularly high, making the use of DMSO-containing paint strippers difficult at low temperatures... adding a particular molecule to DMSO makes it possible to both reduce the surface tension of DMSO and lower its melting point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting point depression: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3184592B1Composition comprising a mannosylerythritol lipid and dmso
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 OLEON NV
  • EP3184592B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP3184592B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3184592B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one lipid of mannosylerythritol (MEL) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), its method of obtaining and its uses, in particular as a stripping or phytosanitary composition.