Scleroprotein Part Compression Molding for Low-Hygroscopic Solids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing solid materials from animal or plant waste do not effectively leverage the mechanical and aesthetic properties of scleroproteins, and often result in materials with poor cohesion, structural instability, and high hygroscopicity.
Innovation Solution
A high-temperature compression treatment process for scleroproteins, involving heating under pressure greater than 30 MPa and cooling below 100°C, denatures the proteins to form a solid material with improved mechanical properties and reduced hygroscopicity, maintaining compression during cooling to minimize porosity and water content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional plastic materials are used for manufacturing parts, then manufacturing precision and surface quality can be achieved, but environmental pollution and resource depletion occur due to non-biodegradable nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastic to sintered natural material (wood flour, bone meal, or shell powder mixed with binder), transforming the fundamental properties of the manufacturing material to achieve biodegradability while maintaining manufacturability through controlled sintering parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining natural particulate matter (wood flour, bone meal, or shell powder) with a binder material, creating a new composite that retains the beneficial properties of natural materials while achieving the desired mechanical and surface properties through the binder
2Object-affected harmful factors
If natural materials like wood or bone are used directly, then biodegradability is achieved, but manufacturing precision and surface quality deteriorate due to material limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a binder material that specifically addresses the surface quality issue at the interface between particulate natural material and the final product surface, while the bulk natural material maintains its biodegradability and structural properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where natural particulate matter provides biodegradability and structural properties, while the binder material enhances surface quality and manufacturing precision, achieving both goals simultaneously through material combination
3Quantity of substance
If plastic parts are disposed of in landfills, then storage space is utilized, but environmental pollution persists due to non-biodegradation and leaching of harmful substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful non-biodegradable property of conventional plastics into a beneficial biodegradable property by using natural materials that can decompose in landfills, transforming the waste disposal problem into an environmentally beneficial solution that reduces pollution while utilizing existing landfill infrastructure
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 process produces a solid material with enhanced mechanical strength, cohesion, and reduced hygroscopicity, replicating and sometimes exceeding the properties of the original natural material, while being simple and quick to implement.
Implementation Method 1
a) providing a mold, b) providing a particulate natural material, in particular wood flour, bone meal or shell powder, and a binder material, c) placing the particulate natural material and the binder material into the mold, d) subjecting the particulate natural material and the binder material to a sintering process, and e) removing the part from the mold
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~9b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for producing a part in the form of a solid block from a natural material in particulate form containing scleroproteins. This method comprises a phase of heating the material, under compression at a pressure greater than or equal to 30 MPa, to a temperature greater than or equal to the denaturation temperature of the scleroproteins contained in the material. It then comprises a phase of cooling the material thus obtained to a temperature less than 100°C, while maintaining the compression during at least a part of the cooling phase.