Ozone-Infused Crystalline Solids via In-Crystal Antimicrobial Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering antimicrobial agents into crystalline and porous solids are inefficient, requiring significant energy inputs and lack methods for introducing desired fluids as fluid inclusions or gas-phase antimicrobials under room temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of a gas-phase antimicrobial agent into a solution of a crystalline or porous solid in a solvent, followed by crystallization or pore formation, allowing the agent to be trapped within the lattice structure, grain boundaries, or pores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas-phase antimicrobial agents are introduced into crystalline solids using conventional methods, then antimicrobial treatment is achieved, but significant energy inputs and expensive equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the crystalline solid by introducing fluid inclusions during the crystallization process itself, rather than attempting to introduce gas-phase antimicrobial agents into already-formed crystals. This parameter change in the crystallization process allows for energy-efficient incorporation of antimicrobial agents without requiring high-energy post-treatment methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs the antimicrobial agent incorporation action preliminarily, during the crystallization process before the crystal structure is complete. By introducing the desired fluid (antimicrobial agent) into the environment prior to crystallization, the agent becomes trapped within the crystal lattice, grain boundaries, or fluid inclusions as the crystal forms, eliminating the need for energy-intensive post-crystallization treatment
2Reliability
If conventional antimicrobial delivery methods are used, then antimicrobial agents can be delivered to food products, but the process is complex and requires expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The crystalline solid performs self-service by incorporating the antimicrobial agent into its own structure during crystallization. The crystal lattice itself serves as the delivery vehicle, with the antimicrobial agent trapped within fluid inclusions, grain boundaries, or the lattice structure. This eliminates the need for complex external delivery equipment or systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the crystalline solid and the antimicrobial agent into a single integrated product. The antimicrobial agent is not separately applied but is incorporated into the crystal structure itself, combining the food product (or packaging material) with the antimicrobial function in one unified system
3Stability of the object's composition
If desired fluids are introduced into crystalline solids after crystallization, then fluid inclusion can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The desired fluid (antimicrobial agent) is introduced into the environment prior to crystallization, allowing it to be trapped within the crystal structure as it forms. This preliminary introduction eliminates the need for time-consuming post-crystallization processes to introduce fluids into already-formed crystals
4Reliability
If ozone is used as an antimicrobial agent in conventional methods, then effective antimicrobial treatment is achieved, but significant energy inputs are required for UV radiation or ionization
Solution Approach 1:
Ozone gas is introduced into the solution prior to crystallization, allowing ozone molecules to be trapped within the crystal lattice, grain boundaries, or fluid inclusions as the crystal forms. This preliminary incorporation eliminates the need for energy-intensive UV radiation or ionization processes that would otherwise be required to activate or deliver ozone
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/energy-intensive systems (UV radiation, ionization) with a simpler chemical approach. Ozone is incorporated into the crystal structure through the crystallization process itself, using the natural trapping mechanism of crystal formation rather than requiring external energy input to deliver or activate the ozone
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
Facilitates simpler, cheaper, and more efficient delivery of antimicrobial agents, extending the shelf life of packaged food products and providing effective antimicrobial treatment without the need for expensive equipment.
Implementation Method 1
introducing the gas-phase antimicrobial agent into the solution; and crystallizing the solid... the infusion of molecules of a gas-phase antimicrobial into the lattice structure, grain boundaries and fluid inclusions of a crystalline solid
Implementation Method 2
crystallizing the solid... providing methods by which a desired liquid and/or gas is intentionally introduced into the environment of a solid prior to crystallization
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for infusing a crystalline and/or porous solid with a desired fluid, particularly an antimicrobial agent, as well as infused crystalline and/or porous solids produced thereby. Solids which may be infused with an antimicrobial agent according to the invention include erythritol, table salt, table sugar, baking soda, calcium carbonate, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, and marshmallow.