Systems, methods, and apparatuses for disinfection and decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating antimicrobial gases like chlorine dioxide (ClO2) are either large and impractical for household or personal use, or they produce low-quality solutions and are slow in generating ClO2, failing to effectively disinfect airborne pathogens and surfaces in enclosed spaces.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a microprocessor, antimicrobial sensors, and a microfluidic device that generates and monitors ClO2 gas concentrations in real-time, using concentrated liquid and solid precursors to maintain desired antimicrobial levels in enclosed spaces, with machine learning algorithms for optimal distribution and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to generate antimicrobial gases, then ClO2 can be produced for disinfection, but the generation process is slow and produces low-quality solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the precursors from solid/liquid mixtures to concentrated liquid forms, and modifies the reaction conditions to achieve rapid generation of high-purity ClO2 gas. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the generation process to operate at different parameter levels that simultaneously improve speed and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical mixing and chemical reaction methods with a microfluidic system that uses precise fluid dynamics and controlled reagent delivery to generate ClO2. This substitution enables rapid, consistent production of high-quality ClO2 by eliminating the limitations of traditional mechanical approaches.
2Reliability
If conventional ClO2 generation systems are used, then disinfection capability is achieved, but the systems are large and impractical for household or personal use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ClO2 generation system into modular components including a microfluidic chip, reagent cartridges, and a compact housing. This segmentation allows the system to be miniaturized while maintaining disinfection capability, making it suitable for household and personal use rather than requiring large industrial-scale equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the microfluidic chip is integrated within a compact generator housing, which in turn can be placed within household environments. The reagent cartridges are nested within the generator, and the entire system is designed to fit within spaces suitable for home or personal use while retaining full disinfection functionality.
3Reliability
If ClO2 is generated in enclosed spaces, then airborne pathogens and surfaces are disinfect ed, but safety monitoring and concentration control are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates ClO2 concentration sensors that continuously monitor the generated gas and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust generation rates to maintain safe and effective concentrations, resolving the difficulty of monitoring and controlling ClO2 levels in enclosed spaces while ensuring reliable disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation of ClO2 concentration through integrated sensors and control algorithms. The system automatically detects concentration levels and adjusts its operation to maintain optimal disinfection effectiveness while ensuring safety, eliminating the need for external monitoring equipment or manual intervention.
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 system effectively sanitizes and disinfects air and surfaces, providing protection against airborne pathogens by maintaining optimal ClO2 concentrations, ensuring safety and efficiency in enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
Antimicrobial gas may be generated from small amounts of concentrated liquid and solid precursor chemicals
Implementation Method 2
actively dispersing the antimicrobial gas into an enclosed three-dimensional space
Implementation Method 3
ClO2 gas has also been shown to kill or otherwise inactivate airborne pathogens
Implementation Method 4
an antimicrobial sensor and/or an environmental sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for generating and monitoring an antimicrobial is provided, the system including: a microprocessor and/or a microcontroller; an external communications device; a computational system; an antimicrobial sensor and/or an environmental sensor; and an antimicrobial generator, wherein the external communications device, the computational system, the antimicrobial generator, and the antimicrobial sensor and/or the environmental sensor are operatively connected to the microprocessor and/or the microcontroller. The system may further include a separate sensor sub-system comprising: a sensor sub-system microprocessor and/or a sensor sub-system microcontroller; a sensor sub-system external communications device; a sensor sub-system antimicrobial sensor and/or a sensor sub-system environmental sensor; and a sensor sub-system computational system. The system may further include a separate generation sub-system comprising: a generation sub-system microprocessor and/or a generation sub-system microcontroller; a generation sub-system external communications device; and a generation sub-system antimicrobial generator.