Polymeric Coating for Safe Biological Agent Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with biological warfare agents like anthrax spores are ineffective and pose a risk to personnel, as many decontaminants fail to neutralize these spores, and existing detection methods are hazardous.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a liquid polymeric coating applied to surfaces to encapsulate and remove contaminants, which includes a polymer or polymerizable resin that can be cured to form a sampling device, allowing for safe collection and analysis of biological agents, chemical agents, and radiological materials, using materials like polycarbonate and polyvinylidene fluoride, and incorporating active decontaminants like quaternary ammonium compounds to neutralize threats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional decontaminants are used to neutralize anthrax spores, then the decontamination process can be performed, but the decontaminants are ineffective against anthrax spores and pose a risk to personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidrisk to personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polymeric coating as an intermediary substance that physically encapsulates anthrax spores, separating them from personnel and the environment. This coating acts as a mediator that traps contaminants without requiring direct chemical neutralization, thereby eliminating personnel risk while maintaining decontamination effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible polymeric coating that forms a thin film over contaminated surfaces. This flexible shell encapsulates the anthrax spores, preventing their release and neutralizing the threat through physical containment rather than chemical reaction, thus solving both effectiveness and safety concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Measurement precision

If detection methods are used to identify biological warfare agents, then the presence of agents can be detected, but the existing methods are hazardous to personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidhazard to personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the polymeric coating to encapsulate and contain the biological agents before any detection process occurs. This preliminary containment action eliminates the hazard to personnel during subsequent detection procedures, allowing accurate measurement without exposure risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a polymeric coating is applied to encapsulate contaminants, then safe removal and analysis is enabled, but the coating must be applied and cured within a limited time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe containmentVSAvoidcoating application and cure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes rapid curing chemistry that changes the physical and chemical parameters of the polymeric coating quickly at room temperature. This parameter change enables the coating to transition from a liquid state for application to a solid encapsulating barrier within two hours, achieving safe containment without significant time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method effectively encapsulates and neutralizes biological agents, allowing for safe removal and analysis, reducing the risk of contamination and providing a non-hazardous means to handle and detect hazardous materials, with the polymeric coating being removable in one piece and capable of neutralizing threats within two hours at room temperature.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a liquid polymeric coating to a substrate surface or gas, the substrate or gas comprising the material of interest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

curing the liquid polymeric coating to form a sampling device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

peeling the sampling device from the surface so as to remove the material of interest from the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

extracting said material of interest from sampling device by applying filtration, recovery, or other extraction technique to said dissolved sampling device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230407104A1Compositions and methods for detection of a material of interest

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 TIAX LLC

AI summary

Provided are processes and compositions for capturing a material of interest such as a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent on or from a surface. A method includes applying a liquid polymeric coating to a surface having a material of interest deposited thereon, encapsulating the material of interest with the composition, curing or otherwise solidifying the composition to form a polymeric coating on the surface, and optionally peeling the coating from the surface. The peeling may remove a portion or all of the material of interest from the surface. Also provided are devices that may be used in the processes provided herein.