Multilayered Polyolefin Cyclic Olefin Photobioreactor Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photobioreactors face challenges in maintaining high light transmittance while ensuring structural integrity and resistance to biofouling, particularly in wet environments, which affects the growth and cultivation of phototrophic organisms.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered structure for the photobioreactor walls comprising a combination of polyolefin and cyclic olefin copolymer or polymer layers, which provides enhanced tensile strength, elongation, modulus, and light transmittance, reducing biofouling susceptibility and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional single-layer materials are used for photobioreactor walls, then manufacturing is simpler, but light transmittance and structural integrity cannot be maintained simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polyolefin and cyclic olefin polymer layers into a multilayered structure. Each layer contributes different properties: polyolefin provides structural integrity and chemical resistance, while cyclic olefin polymer enhances light transmittance and reduces biofouling. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both manufacturing feasibility and superior performance through material combination rather than single-material optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure is segmented into multiple functional layers instead of using a single homogeneous material. The segmentation allows each layer to specialize in specific functions (structural support, light transmission, anti-biofouling) while collectively providing the required performance. This resolves the contradiction by distributing functional requirements across multiple layers, enabling both ease of manufacture through modular design and high reliability through specialized functionality.
2Strength
If materials with high tensile strength are used to ensure structural integrity, then wall strength improves, but light transmittance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where polyolefin layers provide high tensile strength and structural integrity, while cyclic olefin polymer layers provide superior light transmittance. The composite structure allows both properties to coexist by assigning each property to the material best suited for it, resolving the contradiction between strength and light transmission that plagues single-material solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the wall structure have different material compositions optimized for their specific functions. The polyolefin layers are positioned where structural strength is most needed, while cyclic olefin polymer layers are positioned where light transmittance is prioritized. This local quality approach resolves the contradiction by allowing strength and light transmission to be optimized in different parts of the same structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used, then initial manufacturing cost is lower, but maintenance frequency and operational downtime increase due to biofouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the typically harmful interaction between water/moisture and wall materials into a benefit by using cyclic olefin polymer, which has inherent hydrophobic properties that prevent biofouling. The moisture environment that would normally promote biofouling and require frequent maintenance is transformed into a condition where the material's hydrophobicity actively prevents contamination. This resolves the contradiction by making the operating environment work against biofouling rather than promoting it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the wall material by using cyclic olefin polymer, which has different surface properties compared to conventional materials. This parameter change creates a surface that is inherently resistant to biofouling accumulation, reducing maintenance frequency and operational downtime while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through extrusion processes.
4Reliability
If polyolefin alone is used for wall construction, then chemical resistance is achieved, but bonding between layers requires expensive tie layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where polyolefin and cyclic olefin polymer are combined in a multilayered structure. The cyclic olefin polymer layers serve as effective bonding interfaces between polyolefin layers without requiring additional expensive tie layers. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by using the inherent properties of the composite materials to achieve both chemical resistance and interlayer bonding, reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to multilayered structures. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an at least partially transparent multilayered structure that includes at least one first layer including at least one polyolefin, and at least one second layer including at least one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer. In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making such multilayered structures, and photobioreactors having compartments including such multilayered structures.