Milling Bead With Modified Surface Structure For Mass Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanochemical processes in milling devices face challenges in achieving efficient mass transfer due to limitations in the design of milling media, such as beads, which hinder uniform mixing and particle interaction.

Innovation Solution

The development of beads with a modified spherical surface structure, featuring recesses and protrusions, enhances the surface area and contact points, leading to improved mass transfer and mixing efficiency within the milling device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a smooth spherical bead is used, then the manufacturing is simple and the bead structure is straightforward, but the mass transfer efficiency and mixing uniformity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass transfer efficiencyVSAvoidbead structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bead surface is segmented into multiple recesses and protrusions distributed across the spherical structure. These surface features divide the continuous surface into distinct functional zones that enhance local mixing and mass transfer interactions during milling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bead surface is modified with localized recesses and protrusions that create non-uniform surface properties. These local structural variations increase surface area and contact points specifically at the bead surface, enhancing mass transfer and mixing efficiency without requiring complex internal structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the bead surface area is increased, then the mass transfer and contact frequency are improved, but the bead manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidbead manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bead maintains its overall spherical shape while incorporating surface modifications. The recesses and protrusions are designed with curved transitions that preserve the spherical geometry, allowing standard spherical bead manufacturing processes to be used while achieving enhanced surface area for improved mass transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Power

If the bead surface structure is modified with recesses and protrusions, then the contact frequency and kinetic energy generation are enhanced, but the bead structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy generationVSAvoidsurface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bead surface incorporates asymmetric recesses and protrusions that break the perfect spherical symmetry. These asymmetric surface features create more varied contact points and interaction modes during bead-bead and bead-material collisions, thereby enhancing kinetic energy generation and mixing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 modified surface structure of the beads increases kinetic energy generation and contact frequency, resulting in enhanced mass transfer, uniform mixing, and improved outcomes in mechanochemical processes such as co-crystallization, allotrope conversion, and particle size reduction.

Implementation Method 1

The modified surface structure of the beads increases kinetic energy generation and contact frequency, resulting in enhanced mass transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy generation:

Implementation Method 2

leading to improved mass transfer and mixing efficiency within the milling device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP4563227A1Bead for use in a milling device
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 FREE UNIV OF BERLIN
  • EP4563227A1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP4563227A1 patent drawingFigure 6
  • EP4563227A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a bead (1) for use in a milling device (20), the bead (1) having a general shape of a sphere and comprising a modified spherical surface structure (10), furthermore the invention relates to method for co-crystallization, to the method for allotrope conversion and to the method for particle size reduction, wherein said methods use said bead (1).