Stimuli-Responsive Micro-Reservoirs for Controlled Additive Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coatings and lubricants face challenges such as premature leakage of additives, environmental toxicity, and reduced effectiveness due to the lack of controlled release mechanisms for corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and pesticides, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

Development of polymer-based, partially-open hollow reservoirs that encapsulate additives, allowing for controlled release through external stimuli like reduction-oxidation, pH changes, or mechanical damage, ensuring prolonged effectiveness and reduced environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If corrosion inhibitors are added to coatings, then corrosion protection is improved, but additives leak out prematurely due to rain and weather events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidadditive leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The coating system is segmented into a matrix phase and discrete reservoir compartments. Corrosion inhibitors are encapsulated within hollow reservoirs distributed throughout the coating, preventing their direct exposure to environmental factors while maintaining protective functionality. This segmentation isolates the additive from harmful external conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Hollow reservoirs with controlled wall structures are used to encapsulate corrosion inhibitors. These reservoir walls act as protective barriers that prevent premature leakage while allowing controlled release when needed. The reservoir structure provides mechanical protection against weather events while maintaining additive availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If heavy metal based corrosion inhibitors are used, then corrosion protection effectiveness is improved, but health and environmental safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protection effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of corrosion inhibitors from heavy metal-based compounds to organic corrosion inhibitors. This parameter change maintains the corrosion protection mechanism while eliminating the toxicological hazards associated with heavy metals, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If corrosion inhibitors are released immediately, then initial corrosion protection is improved, but longevity of protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial corrosion protectionVSAvoidcoating longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir structure enables periodic or sustained release of corrosion inhibitors over time. Instead of immediate complete release, the system maintains additive availability throughout the coating service life, providing continuous protection. The controlled release mechanism ensures inhibitors are available when needed while preserving them for the duration of coating life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Duration of action of stationary object

If additives are encapsulated in reservoirs, then additive preservation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive preservationVSAvoidcoating structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating incorporates hollow reservoirs with porous or semi-permeable wall structures that allow controlled interaction between the encapsulated additives and the external environment. This porous structure enables additive preservation while maintaining relatively simple coating application and processing, avoiding excessive complexity in the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 controlled release of additives within coatings and lubricants enhances their longevity and performance, while minimizing environmental impact by maintaining additive effectiveness and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

controlled release mechanisms for corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and pesticides... using specific event triggers such as reduction-oxidation and voltage change

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction-oxidation: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

allowing for controlled release through external stimuli like reduction-oxidation, pH changes, or mechanical damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transitions: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS11577212B2Stimuli-responsive micro-reservoirs for release of encapsulants

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 SAS NANOTECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

This invention relates to polymer-based partially-open, hollow reservoirs in the nano-size to micro-size range that encapsulate an additive, which can be released from the reservoirs using specific event stimuli such as reduction-oxidation and voltage change, or at will, using the same stimuli. This invention also relates to method preparing such reservoirs, and for releasing the additive. This invention further relates to matrix that comprises such reservoirs and the method of preparing such matrix. This invention also relates to applications, for example in corrosion inhibition, lubrication, and adhesion, that benefit from using such a controlled release of an additive.