Phosphor-Embedded Plastic for UV-C Antimicrobial Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial plastic products rely on the release of active ingredients, which can be harmful to humans and the environment, and often require chemical reactions that damage the plastic matrix and lead to resistance development.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating specific phosphors, such as those with the general formula Lu3−a−b−nLnb(Mg1−zCaz)aLin(Al1−u−vGauScv)5−a−2n(Si1−d−eZrdHfe)a+2nO12, that emit UV-C radiation upon irradiation with longer wavelengths, providing a purely physical antimicrobial action without releasing active ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical biocides or physical treatments are used to achieve antimicrobial action, then microbial destruction is effective, but the surfaces are damaged and resistances develop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical biocides and physical treatments with a physical mechanism based on UV-C light emission. The plastic composition contains phosphors that convert absorbed light energy into UV-C radiation, which physically inactivates microorganisms through DNA damage without chemical contact or surface degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using light-absorbing phosphor particles embedded in the plastic matrix. These particles absorb light at specific wavelengths and emit UV-C radiation at 200-280nm, creating a localized light-based antimicrobial field that eliminates microbes without chemical reactions or surface damage
2Reliability
If chemical substances are used for disinfection, then microbial killing is achieved, but hazardousness to man and environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical disinfection with a physical light-based mechanism. UV-C emitting phosphors embedded in the plastic composition generate germicidal radiation when exposed to light, eliminating the need for toxic chemical substances while maintaining effective microbial inactivation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates harmful chemical biocides from the plastic composition, retaining only the essential antimicrobial function through UV-C light emission. The phosphor-based system provides disinfection without releasing hazardous substances into the environment
3Reliability
If active antimicrobial ingredients are released from plastic composition, then antimicrobial action is achieved, but toxic effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical ingredient release with a physical radiation mechanism. UV-C emitting phosphors convert absorbed light energy into germicidal UV-C radiation that inactivates microorganisms through physical DNA damage, eliminating toxic chemical release while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phosphor particles as intermediaries that convert light energy into UV-C radiation. These phosphors act as mediators between light sources and microorganisms, providing indirect antimicrobial action through radiation rather than direct chemical contact
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 phosphor-based plastic products achieve antimicrobial action through UV-C emission, effectively inhibiting microbial growth without chemical release, thus avoiding environmental and health hazards and resistance issues.
Implementation Method 1
specific phosphors which have the property of up-conversion and emit UV-C radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Plastic products contain at least one synthetic material and at least one luminophore of the general formula (I) Lu3−a−b−nLnb(Mg1−zCaz)aLin(Al1−u−vGauScv)5−a−2n(Si1−d−eZrdHfe)a+2nO12 (I), where a=0-1, 1≥b>0, d=0-1, e=0-1, n=0-1, z=0-1, u=0-1, and v=0-1, with the proviso that u+v≤1 and d+e≤1. Ln is selected from praseodymium (Pr), gadolinium (Gd), erbium (Er), neodymium (Nd), and yttrium (Y). Objects containing the plastic product and objects made therefrom are also provided.