Air Sanitization via Organic Acid Aerosol Formulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air sanitization systems are ineffective and costly for airborne disinfection against bacteria and viruses, often relying on toxic chemicals and complex equipment, and lack economical and safe solutions for reducing airborne pathogens before they reach surfaces or hosts.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an antimicrobial formulation with organic acids and diols, such as lactic acid and 1,2-hexanediol, aerosolized into small droplets with a vapor pressure sufficient to remain airborne, providing a 3-log reduction in airborne microorganisms while meeting safety and regulatory standards for inhalation thresholds, and delivered through various devices including sprayers and foggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disinfectant foggers are used for airborne disinfection, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable aerosol cans containing pre-formulated disinfectant solution instead of expensive reusable fogging machines. The aerosol can is a simple, inexpensive, single-use device that eliminates the need for complex equipment while maintaining sanitization effectiveness through proper formulation of the aerosolized disinfectant.
2Reliability
If toxic chemicals are used for disinfection, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but safety and toxicity concerns worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the disinfectant formulation by using EPA-approved safer chemicals instead of traditional toxic disinfectants. The formulation includes specific concentrations of surfactants and antimicrobial agents that achieve effective log reductions while meeting safety thresholds for human exposure, thus maintaining efficacy while reducing toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of chemical toxicity into benefit by carefully selecting and formulating safer chemical ingredients that are effective against pathogens but safe for human exposure. The formulation transforms what could be harmful chemicals into beneficial, safe disinfecting agents through proper selection and concentration control.
3Area of stationary object
If aerosol droplets are made smaller for better airborne distribution, then dispersal effectiveness is improved, but droplet stability and evaporation control worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite aerosol formulation containing surfactants mixed with antimicrobial agents in specific ratios. The surfactant component stabilizes the small aerosol droplets, preventing premature evaporation and breakup, while the antimicrobial agent provides the disinfecting function. This composite formulation allows small droplet size for good airborne distribution while maintaining droplet stability through the surfactant.
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 system effectively reduces airborne bacteria and viruses by at least 3 logs within 60 minutes, achieving safe and economical air sanitization without the need for expensive equipment, using environmentally friendly and EPA-approved ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
active components of the formulation should have a minimum threshold vapor pressure, in order to stay airborne for a sufficient period of time
Implementation Method 2
a device configured to create aerosolized droplets of an antimicrobial formulation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for air sanitization. The system includes a device configured to create aerosolized droplets of an antimicrobial formulation with an average particle size sufficiently small so that the formulation provides at least a 3-log reduction against Staphylococcus aureus or another target microbe within 60 minutes. The antimicrobial formulation includes one or more organic acids (e.g., lactic acid) and optionally one or more diols (e.g., 1,2-hexanediol). Where both are included, the organic acid(s) and diol(s) may have a vapor pressure of at least 0.02 Pa. Where just the organic acid is included, the organic acid has a vapor pressure of at least 0.10 Pa. The formulation may further include a buffer, a surfactant, water, a fragrance, etc. The formulation may be delivered as an aerosol, using a pump sprayer, a mister, a nebulizer, a vaporizer, a cold fogger, a thermal fogger, an ultrasonic dispensing device, an electrostatic sprayer, etc.