Non-Pyrotechnic Smoke Generator Using Frontal Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfection methods for large areas, such as ultraviolet radiation and pyrotechnic smoke generators, are inefficient, hazardous, and damaging to materials, while airborne disinfectants face limitations in persistence and safety.
Innovation Solution
A non-pyrotechnic method using frontal polymerization reactions to generate disinfectant-containing smoke, where a monomer exothermically polymerizes with an initiator at a controlled concentration to produce a smoke that is safe, effective, and non-damaging, incorporating a disinfectant agent for efficient disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet radiation is used for disinfection, then disinfection capability is improved, but safety and material damage worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical ultraviolet radiation system with a chemical system using smokeable disinfectant compositions. The disinfectant is delivered via smoke generated from solid or liquid compositions that can be ignited or heated, allowing the active disinfectant ingredients to be dispersed as airborne particles without using harmful UV radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the disinfectant from UV radiation (electromagnetic energy) to smokeable chemical compositions (aerosolized particles). The disinfectant is formulated in solid or liquid smokeable compositions containing carriers and excipients that enable controlled release as smoke, fundamentally changing how the disinfectant is delivered and applied.
2Productivity
If pyrotechnic smoke generators are used, then smoke generation efficiency is improved, but safety and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the harmful aspects of pyrotechnic smoke generators by using controlled combustion or heating of smokeable compositions rather than explosive pyrotechnic reactions. The smoke is generated through controlled burning or vaporization of disinfectant-containing compositions, converting the potentially harmful pyrotechnic process into a controlled, safer chemical reaction that still produces effective smoke for disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses smokeable compositions that are consumed during the smoke generation process. The solid or liquid compositions are ignited or heated to produce smoke, and the compositions themselves are consumed in the process, providing a simple, disposable approach to smoke generation without complex equipment or hazardous pyrotechnic materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fog generators are used, then safety is improved, but portability and energy efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of fog generators (producing airborne disinfectant) while eliminating their complexity and portability issues. Instead of using electrically-powered fog generators with tanks, pumps, and heating elements, the invention uses simple smokeable compositions that can be ignited or heated with minimal equipment, extracting the core disinfection function while removing the bulky, energy-intensive delivery system.
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 method provides a safe, efficient, and effective means to disinfect large areas without the hazards of pyrotechnic methods, ensuring the disinfectant agent is effectively dispersed and maintains its potency, achieving high disinfection rates without damaging materials.
Implementation Method 1
a monomer that exothermically polymerizes upon initiation with an initiator to generate a smoke
Implementation Method 2
polymerizes upon initiation with an initiator to generate a smoke
Implementation Method 3
the initiator that initiates polymerization of the monomer
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfectant method and device produces a disinfectant smoke. The smoke contains reaction products of the initiator compound, sometimes with an additional disinfectant agent. A composition for the non-pyrotechnic generation of the smoke includes a monomer that exothermically polymerizes, an initiator, and a disinfectant agent. A non-pyrotechnic method of generating disinfectant-containing smoke is provided, which includes initiating a frontal polymerization reaction (FPR) in a composition for the non-pyrotechnic generation of disinfectant-containing smoke, and generating disinfectant smoke. A method of disinfecting an area is provided, involving initiating an FPR to generate disinfectant smoke, and exposing the area to the smoke for a period of time sufficient to achieve disinfection. A non-pyrotechnic smoke generator for generating a disinfectant smoke is provided, including the smoke-generating composition comprising and one of either a heat source or a light source positioned to heat or illuminate the composition.