Pourable Liquid Wetting Agent Formulation Using Multi-Branched Block Copolymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wetting agents for managed turf environments are often sold as solids, making them difficult to use and apply, and they do not effectively retain water under drought conditions, which limits their longevity and plant health benefits.
Innovation Solution
A pourable liquid wetting agent formulation is developed using multi-branched block copolymers combined with a polar solvent and a protic solvent, ensuring the formulation remains a flowable liquid at room temperature, thereby improving wetting performance and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-branched block copolymers with higher weight percentages of EO are used as wetting agents, then wetting performance and longevity are improved, but the product becomes a paste or flake instead of a pourable liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the wetting agent from solid (paste/flake) to liquid by adjusting the molecular structure of the block copolymer and selecting appropriate chain lengths and compositions of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide blocks, enabling pourability while maintaining wetting performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite wetting agent system by combining multi-branched block copolymers with specific EO/PO ratios and structures, integrating multiple functional properties (wetting, pourability, longevity) into a single liquid formulation
2Productivity
If wetting agents are formulated as high activity blends, then application efficiency is improved, but water retention under drought conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality differentiation within the wetting agent structure by using multi-branched block copolymers with hydrophilic ethylene oxide blocks and hydrophobic propylene oxide blocks, where different segments perform different functions: wetting and water retention
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 formulation enhances wetting agent performance and longevity, allowing for better water retention in soil, improving plant health and appearance, especially under drought conditions, by maintaining a stable, clear liquid state at room temperature.
Implementation Method 1
The co-additives include a combination of a solvent with an intermediate-to-high polar parameter and a low hydrogen bonding parameter and a solvent with intermediate-to-high hydrogen bonding parameter, as defined by Hansen's solubility parameters
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to wetting agent formulations comprising wetting agents combined with co-additives that ensure the wetting agent formulation is a flowable liquid at room temperature. Wetting agents suitable for use in this invention are multi-branched block copolymers. The copolymers include a polyfunctional base which is an oxygen-containing compound having at least three ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer branches attached thereto. The co-additives include a combination of a solvent with an intermediate-to-high polar parameter and a low hydrogen bonding parameter and a solvent with intermediate-to-high hydrogen bonding parameter, as defined by Hansen's solubility parameters.