Microstructured Surface Scratch Visibility and Cleanability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microstructured surfaces used to reduce biofilm formation can be difficult to clean due to the size of the microstructures being smaller than the bristles of brushes or fibers of wipes, leading to impaired cleanability and touch transfer properties.
Innovation Solution
A structured surface with a complement cumulative slope magnitude distribution such that at least 30% to 90% of structures have a slope greater than 10 degrees, and less than 80% have a slope greater than 35 degrees, providing enhanced cleanability and touch transfer properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microstructured surfaces with small microstructure features are used to reduce biofilm formation, then biofilm resistance is improved, but cleanability deteriorates because brush bristles or wipe fibers are larger than the space between microstructures
Solution Approach 1:
The surface is segmented into two distinct microstructure size categories: smaller microstructures (1-10 micrometers) for biofilm resistance and larger microstructures (10-100 micrometers) for cleanability. This segmentation allows each size to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the surface have different microstructure characteristics. The surface contains both smaller microstructures optimized for preventing biofilm formation and larger microstructures optimized for being cleaned by brushes and wipes, with each region having tailored properties for its specific function.
2Reliability
If microstructured surfaces are used to reduce microbial touch transfer, then microbial touch transfer is reduced, but visibility of scratches increases making the surface less aesthetically appealing
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructures are designed with asymmetric geometries that preferentially scatter light in certain directions while maintaining the antimicrobial properties. This asymmetric design helps mask scratches by creating a consistent light scattering pattern that reduces the visual contrast of linear scratch defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure is designed to manipulate light scattering and reflection properties, creating optical effects that mask the appearance of scratches. The microstructure geometry controls how light interacts with the surface, reducing the visual impact of damage while maintaining functional properties.
Data Source
AI summary
Structured surfaces are described. In one embodiment, the structured surface comprises a plurality of structures having complement cumulative slope magnitude distribution (Fcc) such that at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% of structures have a slope greater than 10 degrees; and less than 80% of the structures have a slope greater than 35 degrees. In other embodiments, the structures comprise peaks and valleys defined by a Cartesian coordinate system such that the peaks and valleys have a width and length in the x-y plane and a height in the z-direction and at least a portion of the peaks and/or valleys vary in height in the y direction and/or the x-direction by at least 10% of the average height. Articles and methods are also described.