Microwave-Assisted Surface Decontamination Using Benign Chemical Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for surface decontamination, especially in enclosed structures and wide areas, are either ineffective, costly, or pose risks to surfaces and human health due to the use of harmful chemicals and prolonged treatment times.

Innovation Solution

The use of benign chemical formulations, known as directed energy enhancers (DEE), which are sprayed onto surfaces and then exposed to microwave radiation for short periods, generating reactive oxidative species to achieve effective decontamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional oxidative decontaminants are used for surface decontamination, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but material damage and human health risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial damage and human health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using benign formulations (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, or persulfates at low concentrations) instead of conventional strong oxidants, and combines them with microwave radiation to achieve effective decontamination without the harmful effects of high concentrations of oxidative chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes chemical action with electromagnetic radiation (microwave) activation of benign chemicals. The microwave energy activates the benign chemical formulations to produce hydroxyl radicals and other reactive species that achieve decontamination, replacing the need for high concentrations of conventional oxidative decontaminants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If hand wiping with liquid disinfectants is used for aircraft decontamination, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but treatment time and labor costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical wiping with automated microwave radiation application. The microwave system can treat surfaces rapidly without human intervention, converting a labor-intensive manual process into an automated electromagnetic treatment process that achieves decontamination in minutes rather than hours

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic microwave pulses to activate the benign chemical formulations on surfaces. This periodic electromagnetic activation allows rapid cycling of decontamination action across large surfaces, significantly reducing total treatment time compared to continuous manual wiping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If hot and humid air treatment is used for spore destruction, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but treatment duration and system damage worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespore destruction effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes thermal-mechanical treatment (hot and humid air) with electromagnetic radiation (microwave) activation of benign chemicals. This substitution achieves spore destruction through chemical oxidation by hydroxyl radicals rather than prolonged thermal exposure, dramatically reducing treatment time from days to minutes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of treatment by using microwave radiation and benign chemical formulations instead of high temperature and humidity. This parameter change allows effective spore destruction at ambient or near-ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for prolonged high-temperature exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a 6-log reduction in biological contaminants, is cost-effective by using low concentrations of decontaminants, and minimizes material damage and human health risks, while allowing for rapid treatment both indoors and outdoors.

Implementation Method 1

exposing to radio frequency irradiation (microwaves) for short periods of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

generating reactive oxidative species to achieve effective decontamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeneration of reactive oxidative species: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS12329870B2Mobile systems for microwave assisted surface decontamination and decontamination methods

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 ZETEO TECH INC

AI summary

Mobile decontamination systems and microwave assisted decontamination methods for decontaminating a variety of contaminated surfaces disposed external to the system. The systems and methods include treating the surfaces with benign chemical formulations followed by exposing to microwave irradiation for short periods of time to achieve at least 6-log reduction in biological contaminants including viruses and spores of B. anthracis, B. thuringiensis, and P. roqueforti. The formulations include a percarbonate and surfactant in water.