Persulfate Crosslinked PVA Microcapsules for Triggered Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microcapsules used in agriculture and cleaning products are resistant to rupture without physical force, leading to ineffective release of active ingredients, especially in applications where physical force cannot be applied, such as on leaf structures or in crop fields.

Innovation Solution

The development of boron ion-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol microcapsules that are sensitive to temperature, pH, and salinity, allowing them to rupture and release their content without applied force, formed through a coacervation method where polyvinyl alcohol is crosslinked by boron or persulfate ions, enabling thermal and pH sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional microcapsules are used in agriculture, then the active ingredients are protected during application, but the microcapsules do not rupture without physical force, leading to ineffective release of active ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease effectivenessVSAvoidcapsule rupture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the polymer wall material to be environmentally sensitive. The microcapsules use a polymer that changes its structural properties in response to environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, and salinity. This allows the capsules to transition from a stable protected state to a rupture state based on environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between protection and release effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by creating microcapsules with dynamic wall properties that can adapt to environmental changes. The polymer wall material transitions from a rigid protective structure to a flexible or dissolved state in response to environmental stimuli, enabling the capsules to dynamically adjust between protection and release modes based on the agricultural application environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If microcapsules require physical force for rupture, then the active ingredients are protected during transport and storage, but they cannot be applied effectively on leaf structures or in crop fields where physical force cannot be applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidapplication simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables application versatility through parameter changes by designing microcapsules that respond to environmental parameters present in agricultural settings. The capsules automatically detect and respond to changes in pH, temperature, or salinity encountered during application to crops, eliminating the need for physical force and enabling straightforward application methods while maintaining effective active ingredient release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by creating microcapsules that autonomously respond to environmental conditions without requiring external activation. The capsules self-detect environmental parameters and self-regulate their rupture behavior, eliminating the need for manual intervention or physical force application, thereby simplifying the application process while maintaining adaptability to different crop environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the microcapsules are made sensitive to environmental conditions, then they can release active ingredients without physical force, but the release timing must be precisely controlled to ensure effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease timing controlVSAvoidsensitivity mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages release timing control through parameter changes by utilizing the inherent environmental parameters already present in agricultural systems. The microcapsules are designed with polymer wall materials that have specific transition points for pH, temperature, or salinity sensitivity. This approach provides precise release timing control by leveraging naturally occurring environmental gradients and changes, without requiring complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses environmental parameters as intermediaries to control release timing. Rather than implementing complex internal control mechanisms, the system employs environmental conditions (pH, temperature, salinity) as intermediary signals that trigger capsule rupture. This approach simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining reliable timing control, as the environmental parameters naturally correlate with the appropriate release moments in the agricultural application process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 microcapsules effectively disintegrate and release their agricultural active content under destabilizing conditions, such as temperature changes or pH variations, ensuring timely and effective delivery of the active ingredients to the substrate, enhancing crop protection and pest control.

Implementation Method 1

boron or persulfate ions crosslink the polyvinyl alcohol to form a suspension of polyvinyl alcohol-based microcapsules containing an agriculture active core material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The microcapsules are susceptible to disintegration in the absence of the application of crushing force upon drying of the composition subsequent to application of the composition to the substrate, field or crop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal degradation: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The microcapsules effectively disintegrate and release their agricultural active content under destabilizing conditions, such as temperature changes or pH variations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH sensitivity: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2848123B1An agriculture actives delivery composition comprising persulfate ion-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol microcapsules and method of use thereof
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 ENCAPSYS LLC

AI summary

An aqueous composition is provided having a pH of from about 2.0 to about 12.8 and comprising persulfate ion-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol microcapsules. A method of delivering an agriculture active to a substrate is further provided comprising applying to the substrate an aqueous composition comprised of agriculture active containing, persulfate ion-crosslinked, polyvinyl alcohol microcapsules, as well as a method of treating a substrate to protect from pests or promote crop growth comprising applying to the substrate an aqueous treating composition comprised of agriculture active containing persulfate ion-crosslinked, polyvinyl alcohol microcapsules.