Protein-Polymer Composite for Heat-Resistant Bioorganic Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for materials that effectively and durably remove bioorganic stains, such as food stains, from surfaces, as existing solutions lack long-lasting activity and stability, especially when exposed to heat.
Innovation Solution
A protein-polymer composite material is developed, where bioactive proteins like α-amylase are dispersed in a polymer resin and crosslinked, creating a durable coating that can enzymatically cleave components of bioorganic stains, with the amylase being stabilized within a polyurethane matrix for enhanced thermostability and activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bioactive proteins are used in water-borne coatings, then ease of manufacture is improved, but duration of action and thermostability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining organic solvent-borne polymer resin with bioactive proteins. This composite approach allows the proteins to be dispersed and stabilized within the polymer matrix, preventing denaturation and maintaining activity over time. The organic solvent-borne system provides a more stable environment for the proteins compared to water-borne systems, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the coating medium from water-borne to organic solvent-borne. This parameter change fundamentally alters the stability and longevity characteristics of the embedded proteins. The organic solvent environment provides better protection against protein denaturation and maintains enzymatic activity, thereby extending the duration of action while remaining manufacturable.
2Ease of manufacture
If bioactive proteins are used in water-borne coatings, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability under heat exposure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The organic solvent-borne polymer resin composite provides a thermally stable matrix that protects the embedded bioactive proteins from heat-induced denaturation. The composite structure allows the proteins to maintain their three-dimensional structure and catalytic function even under heat exposure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard coating processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Changing the coating medium from water-borne to organic solvent-borne fundamentally improves thermal stability. The organic solvent system has higher boiling point and forms a more thermally stable film, creating a protective environment that maintains protein reliability under heat exposure while preserving manufacturing simplicity.
3Duration of action of moving object
If proteins are crosslinked with polymer network, then duration of action and thermostability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protein stabilization function with the polymer crosslinking process. The proteins are incorporated into the polymer network during the crosslinking reaction, allowing simultaneous formation of the polymer matrix and stabilization of the proteins. This merging approach extends protein activity without requiring separate stabilization steps, thus managing complexity while improving duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosslinked polymer-protein composite creates a unified material system where the polymer network serves dual purposes: structural integrity and protein stabilization. The crosslinking process integrates the protein into the matrix, providing long-term stability without requiring additional complex stabilization mechanisms, thereby balancing enhanced duration of action with manageable device complexity.
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 protein-polymer composite material provides long-lasting, heat-resistant activity, effectively removing bioorganic stains like mayonnaise and barbecue sauce, with α-amylase retaining 85% activity over three months, compared to water-borne coatings which lose activity quickly.
Implementation Method 1
an amylase or analogue thereof is capable of enzymatically cleaving a component of a bioorganic stain
Implementation Method 2
the proteins are entrapped and crosslinked with polymer upon the formation of the polymer network
Data Source
AI summary
Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.