Biological Zinc Oxide Production via Microbial Oxidation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The production of zinc oxide is costly and environmentally hazardous, involving harsh chemicals and high-temperature furnaces, with byproducts like sulfur dioxide and cadmium vapor posing health and environmental risks, and impure sources leading to product discoloration and equipment degradation.

Innovation Solution

Biological devices using microbial cells transformed with DNA constructs containing genes for zinc-related proteins, alkaline phosphatase, and alcohol dehydrogenase are employed to produce oxidized zinc, utilizing recycled materials and avoiding harsh chemicals and high-temperature processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If traditional methods (roasting zinc ores, vaporizing zinc) are used to produce zinc oxide, then zinc oxide can be produced, but harmful byproducts (sulfur dioxide, cadmium vapor) are generated causing environmental pollution and health hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharmful byproductsVSAvoidzinc oxide production

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful oxidation process into a beneficial biological process. Instead of vaporizing zinc metal to produce harmful fumes, the invention uses microbial cells to biologically oxidize zinc, converting the harmful physical-chemical process into a safe biological one that produces the same useful product without harmful byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces microbial cells as an intermediary between zinc sources and zinc oxide product. The microbes act as a mediator that performs the oxidation function naturally, replacing the need for harsh chemical oxidants and high-temperature furnaces that generate harmful emissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high-temperature furnaces and harsh chemicals are used for zinc oxide production, then zinc oxide can be produced efficiently, but equipment degradation and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal system (high-temperature furnaces, chemical oxidants) with a biological system. The microbial cells perform the oxidation function through enzymatic processes that occur at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for complex high-temperature equipment and harsh chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature and harsh chemical conditions to ambient temperature and biological conditions. This parameter transformation allows the same chemical transformation (zinc to zinc oxide) to occur under much milder conditions that protect equipment and reduce operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If impure zinc sources are used, then production costs decrease, but product discoloration and equipment aggregation occur reducing quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesource material flexibilityVSAvoidproduct purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables impure zinc sources to self-cleanse through the biological oxidation process. The microbial cells selectively interact with the zinc while tolerating impurities, effectively purifying the zinc during the oxidation process without requiring pre-purification steps or specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the presence of impurities from a harmful factor into a beneficial one. Instead of impurities causing discoloration and equipment aggregation as in traditional methods, the biological oxidation process tolerates and even utilizes impure zinc sources, converting what would be harmful contaminants into acceptable features of the raw material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This method provides an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and efficient production of oxidized zinc, reducing health and environmental hazards while enabling the use of impure sources and recycled materials, and producing a product with diverse applications.

Implementation Method 1

microbial cells transformed with a DNA construct containing genes for producing a zinc-related protein... to produce oxidized zinc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

genes for producing a zinc-related protein, an alkaline phosphatase, and an alcohol dehydrogenase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

genes for producing a zinc-related protein, an alkaline phosphatase, and an alcohol dehydrogenase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS11781157B2Biological devices for producing oxidized zinc and applications thereof

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 BIOCAPITAL HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Described herein are biological devices and methods for using the same to produce oxidized zinc. The biological devices include microbial cells transformed with a DNA construct containing genes for producing a zinc-related protein, an alkaline phosphatase, and an alcohol dehydrogenase. In some instances, the biological devices also include a gene for lipase. The oxidized zinc compositions produced herein have numerous applications.