Antibacterial fabric and composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabrics and devices fail to generate bactericidal electric currents, despite known bactericidal effects of electric currents, limiting their antibacterial capabilities in applications where electrified fabrics are advantageous.
Innovation Solution
A fabric impregnated with a salt solution, including NaCl, glycerol, water, and a binder, is electrified using a power supply to generate a bactericidal current capable of denaturing bacteria, with specific concentrations and components optimizing conductivity and moisture content for effective bactericidal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-conductive fabrics or fabrics with simple conducting fibers are used, then the fabric structure remains simple and manufacturing is easy, but the fabric cannot generate bactericidal electric currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining non-conductive fabric base material with conductive salt solution impregnation. This creates a composite structure where the fabric provides mechanical support while the salt solution provides electrical conductivity, enabling bactericidal capability without requiring complex conducting fiber arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the fabric by impregnating it with salt solution. This transforms the fabric from a non-conductive state to a conductive state, enabling it to carry bactericidal electric currents while maintaining the simplicity of the base fabric structure.
2Reliability
If conductive fibers are interspersed in non-conductive fabric, then some electrical conductivity is achieved, but the fabric cannot generate sufficient bactericidal current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically increases the electrical conductivity parameter by using salt solution impregnation instead of sparse conductive fibers. The salt solution provides a continuous conductive pathway throughout the fabric, enabling sufficient current generation for bactericidal effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The salt solution acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the non-conductive fabric structure and enables electrical current flow. It provides the necessary ionic conductivity to allow bactericidal currents to pass through the fabric effectively.
3Power
If salt solution concentration is increased to improve conductivity, then electrical load capability improves, but moisture content increases which may affect fabric comfort and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the salt solution concentration parameter to achieve the desired electrical conductivity while controlling moisture content. By adjusting the NaCl percentage within specific ranges, the fabric achieves adequate electrical load capability without excessive moisture that would compromise stability or comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies salt solution impregnation locally within the fabric structure rather than saturating it completely. This allows different regions of the fabric to have appropriate moisture levels, maintaining both electrical conductivity for power capability and stability for composition consistency.
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 electrified fabric effectively kills bacteria by applying controlled currents, demonstrating bactericidal ability through denaturation and lysis, with varying component concentrations ensuring suitable electrical loads and moisture levels for diverse applications.
Implementation Method 1
A fabric impregnated with a salt solution, including NaCl, glycerol, water, and a binder, is electrified using a power supply to generate a bactericidal current
Implementation Method 2
The electrified fabric effectively kills bacteria by applying controlled currents, demonstrating bactericidal ability through denaturation and lysis
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric is saturated with a salt solution, such that when an electric current is applied to the fabric, the fabric exhibits a bactericidal ability. In another aspect, a salt solution includes a conductor, a humectant, a solvent, and a binder, where the conductor has an NaCl % w/w of between 3 and 11, the humectant has a glycerol % w/w of between 3 and 15, the solvent has a water % w/w of between 77 and 89 and the fixative includes a binder % w/w of between 0.01 and 2.0.