Nanoporous Calcium Phosphate Sunscreen Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sun protection products, despite high SPF ratings, often fail to provide adequate protection against the full spectrum of UV radiation, particularly UVA and UVB, leading to skin damage and skin cancer risks.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of uniform, rigid, spherical, nanoporous calcium phosphate particles into sunscreen compositions, which enhance the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and UV-A protection by increasing the internal surface area and porosity, thereby improving the product's ability to absorb and block UV radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional inorganic oxide sunscreens (TiO2, ZnO) are used, then UV protection is provided, but the protection is insufficient against the full spectrum of UV radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV protection effectivenessVSAvoidskin damage from UV radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs nanoporous calcium phosphate particles with controlled pore sizes (5-50 nm) and high porosity (40-80%). The porous structure increases the internal surface area by 10-100 times compared to solid particles, enabling enhanced UV absorption capacity. The pore dimensions are specifically designed to match UV wavelength ranges, improving the particles' ability to intercept and absorb both UVA and UVB radiation effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically optimizes multiple parameters of calcium phosphate particles including size (50-500 nm), porosity (40-80%), pore diameter (5-50 nm), and surface area (10-100 m²/g). By controlling these parameters during synthesis, the particles achieve optimal UV absorption characteristics across the entire UV spectrum, transforming conventional limited-protection sunscreens into high-performance full-spectrum protectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If spherical porous hydroxyapatite particles are used for skin transport, then lipid active transport is enabled, but UV protection capability is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin transport functionVSAvoidUV protection performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs calcium phosphate particles that simultaneously perform multiple functions: (1) UV absorption and scattering across UVA and UVB ranges, (2) skin penetration and transport of lipid actives through the stratum corneum, and (3) potential drug delivery capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single ingredient to replace multiple separate components, achieving both enhanced UV protection and skin benefits without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 use of these particles significantly increases the SPF and UV-A protection values, providing better protection against both UVA and UVB radiation, thus reducing skin damage and cancer risks.

Implementation Method 1

enhance the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and UV-A protection by increasing the internal surface area and porosity, thereby improving the product's ability to absorb and block UV radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

improving the product's ability to absorb and block UV radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2533753B1Sunscreen compositions comprising uniform, rigid, spherical, nanoporous calcium phosphate particles, and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2022.07.06 LABORATORY SKIN CARE INC

AI summary

Aspects of the invention include sunscreen formulations that include uniform, rigid, spherical nanoporous calcium phosphate particles. Also provided are methods of making the sunscreen formulations. The sunscreen formulations find use in sunblocking applications.