Porous Polyamide Powder for Visible Light Scattering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic compositions fail to provide high visible light-scattering properties while being safe for human skin, as inorganic compound-deposited particles on non-porous polymer or inorganic materials lack rough surfaces necessary for effective light scattering, and previously developed porous polymer particles contain strong acidic components unsuitable for skin contact.

Innovation Solution

Development of a powder comprising fine inorganic compound particles-deposited porous polyamide particles with a spherulite structure, where the inorganic particles are deposited on the surface and within the pores, offering high visible light-scattering without strong acidic components, using zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, or titanium dioxide, and having a specific particle size and distribution to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If inorganic compound particles are deposited on non-porous polymer or inorganic material particles, then the particles can be produced with a smooth surface, but the visible light-scattering property is insufficient due to lack of surface roughness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible light-scattering propertyVSAvoidsurface roughness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous polymer particles as the base structure instead of non-porous particles. The porous structure provides natural surface roughness and concave-convex features that enhance visible light scattering. The inorganic compound particles are deposited within the pores and on the surface of these porous polymer particles, creating a composite structure that maintains both the light-scattering capability and the functional benefits of the inorganic coating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Illumination intensity

If porous polymer particles are used to enhance light scattering, then visible light-scattering property improves, but strong acidic components may be present which are harmful to human skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible light-scattering propertyVSAvoidstrong acidic component harm to skin

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the inorganic compound particles, including particle size (0.003-0.1 μm), composition (oxides of metals like zinc, aluminum, titanium, zirconium), and acid value constraints (acid value of 1 mg KOH/g or less). These parameter changes ensure that the inorganic coating provides light scattering enhancement while eliminating strong acidic components that would be harmful to skin, thus resolving the contradiction between functional performance and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If fine inorganic compound particles are deposited on particle surfaces, then ultraviolet shielding and light scattering are enhanced, but the coating may not adhere properly or may flake off over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet shielding and light scatteringVSAvoidcoating durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where inorganic compound particles are deposited both on the surface and within the pores of the porous polymer particles. This nested arrangement ensures that the inorganic coating is mechanically interlocked with the porous substrate, preventing flaking and improving durability. The inorganic particles are effectively embedded within the porous structure rather than merely surface-coated, creating a stable long-lasting composite.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 powder exhibits high visible light-scattering properties, inhibiting abnormal skin shining and shielding wrinkles and imperfections, while being non-harmful to human skin due to minimal strong acidic content, making it suitable for cosmetic compositions and other applications.

Implementation Method 1

The fine inorganic compound particles are so selected as to show ultraviolet ray-reflection or ultraviolet ray-absorption, whereby the cosmetic composition can show increased shielding to ultraviolet rays.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet ray-reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet ray-absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The inorganic compound is too smoothly coated on the non-porous particles of polymer or inorganic material used for producing the inorganic compound-deposited particles which are disclosed in Patent Publications 1 to 3, so that the coated particles have no rough surfaces and hence satisfactorily high visible light-scattering cannot be expected.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisible light-scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP1964875B1Powder composed of inorganic compound-loaded polyamide porous particle

Publication Date: 2012.11.07 UBE CORPORATION

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Powder composed of fine inorganic compound particles-deposited porous polyamide particles in which the inorganic compound particles are deposited on surfaces and in pores of the porous polyamide particles, the porous polyamide particle have a mean primary particle diameter in the range of 1 to 30 µm, the fine inorganic compound particles have a mean primary particle diameter in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 µm, and at least 80% of number of the fine inorganic compound particles contains no strong acidic component shows a high light-scattering property and gives no harmful effect to human body.