Piezoelectric Fabric for Antibacterial Liquid Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antibacterial containers face challenges in efficiently exhibiting antibacterial properties due to the reduction in contact area with liquids, making it difficult to maintain effective antibacterial performance as the liquid volume decreases.
Innovation Solution
A fabric with a low-density and high-density portion is developed, where the low-density portion absorbs liquids and the high-density portion generates electric charges to impart antibacterial effects, combined with a liquid impermeable sheet to prevent effusion and maintain antibacterial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container wall contains an antibacterial substance, then antibacterial properties are provided, but the contact area with liquid is reduced as liquid volume decreases, making it difficult to efficiently exhibit antibacterial properties
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric generates electric charges itself through the piezoelectric effect when deformed by liquid absorption, eliminating the need for external power sources or pre-contained antibacterial substances. The fabric serves its own antibacterial needs through self-generated electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric changes its physical state from dry to wet, which deforms the piezoelectric fibers and generates electric charges. This parameter change (moisture absorption) directly triggers the antibacterial mechanism, allowing the fabric to adapt its antibacterial activity to the actual liquid presence.
2Reliability
If the fabric has high density to generate larger electric charges, then antibacterial effect is enhanced, but liquid absorption capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric uses different yarns with different properties: piezoelectric fibers for charge generation and hydrophilic fibers for liquid absorption. Each component performs its specialized function locally, and together they achieve both liquid absorption and antibacterial effects without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric is constructed as a composite of piezoelectric fibers and hydrophilic fibers, combining materials with different functions. The piezoelectric component generates electric charges while the hydrophilic component absorbs liquids, allowing both antibacterial and absorption functions to coexist.
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 fabric efficiently absorbs and sterilizes liquids by generating electric charges, effectively exhibiting antibacterial properties without liquid effusion, ensuring continuous antibacterial performance.
Implementation Method 1
a fabric which efficiently exhibits antibacterial properties... The fabric includes a low-density portion and a high-density portion having a lower porosity than the low-density portion. The fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention easily absorbs sweat, excrement or the like because of a large gap in the low-density portion. In contrast to this, the high-density portion generates a larger electric charge than the low-density portion because of a smaller gap in the high-density portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric that includes a first yarn and a second yarn which generate electric charges having different polarities with the application of external energy thereto. The fabric includes a low-density portion and a high-density portion having a lower porosity than the low-density portion.