Passive Insect Control via Porous Polymer Diffusion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insect control devices are often expensive, bulky, require frequent refilling, and have limited duration of effectiveness, emitting unpleasant odors and causing respiratory irritation, while also needing external energy sources like electricity or heat.

Innovation Solution

Development of passive, textile-based insect control devices using a fiber web substrate with an insecticidal agent like Transfluthrin, which provides continuous release without external energy, lasting over 24 hours and effective against multiple insect species.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional insect control devices use temporary spraying or heat-diffused systems for pyrethroid release, then insect control efficacy is achieved, but unpleasant odor and respiratory irritation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect control efficacyVSAvoidunpleasant odor and respiratory irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a porous polymer matrix as the substrate for the insecticidal composition. The porous structure allows controlled release of the active ingredient through diffusion, eliminating the need for heat or spray systems that cause odor and respiratory irritation, while maintaining effective insect control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and release mechanism parameters by using a solid polymer matrix with controlled diffusion rather than vapor-phase heat diffusion or liquid spray systems. This parameter change eliminates the harmful odor and irritation effects while preserving insecticidal efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional devices require frequent refilling or refueling, then continuous insect protection can be maintained, but device complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection durationVSAvoidrefilling requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insecticidal composition is pre-embedded within the porous polymer matrix during manufacturing, creating a self-contained device that releases the active ingredient over an extended period without requiring user refilling or refueling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a disposable unit with the insecticidal composition permanently integrated into the polymer matrix, eliminating the need for maintenance, refilling, or complex reuse mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while providing sustained protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If outdoor insect control devices use flame or battery power sources, then insect repulsion efficacy is improved, but device weight and portability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect repulsion efficacyVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is completely passive and self-service, using no external energy sources such as flame or batteries. The insecticidal composition releases automatically through diffusion from the porous polymer matrix, providing efficacy without adding weight from power sources, making the device lightweight and highly portable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Duration of action of stationary object

If insect control devices are designed for extended duration operation, then refilling frequency is reduced, but device size and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a composite structure where the insecticidal composition is integrated within the porous polymer matrix. This composite design provides extended operational duration through controlled diffusion while maintaining a compact, space-efficient form factor that does not increase device bulk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 devices offer prolonged protection with high knockdown and kill rates for flying arthropods, are lightweight, easy to deploy, and do not require frequent refilling or external energy, providing effective insect control in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Implementation Method 1

the insect control device is configured to passively release the insect control composition from the fiber web at a continuous non-zero rate of release for at least 1 day

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassive release: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS10856540B2Devices and methods for controlling insects

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 PIRK LLC

AI summary

Devices and methods for controlling insects are generally described. Typically, the devices include a fiber web comprising a plurality of glass fibers or other substrate made of non-absorptive material impregnated or otherwise loaded with an insect control composition comprising an active insecticidal species (e.g., a pyrethroid such as Transfluthrin). The devices provide protection against arthropods or other insects over prolonged periods of time. Such devices may be lightweight, low-cost, reusable, and disposable, and can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes.