Hydrophilic Silane Fabric Finish for Wash-Resistant Bioadhesion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing microorganism adhesion on fibers and fabrics, such as polyester, are either costly, technically complex, or lack effectiveness and stability, and existing methods for determining biofilm formation are not suitable for fabrics and often require high costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a composition ZS comprising hydrophilic silane derivatives to fibers and fabrics, which reduces microorganism adhesion and biofilm formation, and a quantitative determination method for adhesion that can be applied using common textile techniques and is cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active antimicrobial ingredients are used to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth, then the effectiveness of reducing microorganism adhesion is improved, but the toxicity and environmental unfriendliness worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of reducing microorganism adhesionVSAvoidtoxicity to humans and environmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydrophilic polymer coatings as an intermediary physical barrier between the fabric surface and microorganisms. This coating prevents direct contact and adhesion without requiring toxic antimicrobial chemicals, thus achieving effectiveness while eliminating toxicity concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces chemical antimicrobial mechanisms (killing or inhibiting bacteria) with a physical mechanical barrier approach. The hydrophilic coating creates a surface that microorganisms cannot adhere to, substituting chemical action with physical prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional coating methods are used to apply antiadhesive agents to fabrics, then the antiadhesive effect is achieved, but the wash stability and durability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantiadhesive effectVSAvoidwash stability and durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the coating composition by using specifically formulated hydrophilic polymers with appropriate molecular weights, functional groups, and compositions that enable both antiadhesive properties and wash fastness. The composition parameters are optimized to achieve durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining hydrophilic polymer coatings with fabric substrates, creating a multi-component system where the polymer-fabric interaction provides both antiadhesive functionality and durable attachment that withstands washing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If existing determination methods for biofilm formation are used, then the measurement of microorganism adhesion is possible, but the cost and complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination of microorganism adhesionVSAvoidcomplexity and cost of determination method

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the specific measurement step of quantifying adhered microorganisms from complex biofilm formation assays. By focusing only on adhesion measurement rather than complete biofilm development, the method simplifies the procedure while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive materials and methods for determination, such as using basic staining techniques with common dyes and straightforward counting methods, replacing expensive and complex instrumental analyses while achieving sufficient measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method provides a stable and wash-resistant antiadhesive finish that effectively reduces bacterial adhesion even after repeated laundering, and the quantitative determination method allows for reliable assessment of antiadhesive activity in a high-throughput process.

Implementation Method 1

a) providing a composition ZS comprising at least one hydrophilic silane derivative S... the intention being to reduce the adhesion of microorganisms, especially of bacteria and/or yeasts, to the fibers and/or fabrics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentUS10132029B2Method for reducing adhesion of microorganisms to fabrics

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 SANITIZED

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for finishing fibers and/or fabrics, the intention being to reduce the adhesion of microorganisms, especially of bacteria and/or yeasts, to the fibers and/or fabrics. The method involves applying a composition ZS comprising selected hydrophilic silane derivatives to the fibers and/or fabrics. The invention further relates to a method for the quantitative determination of the adhesion of microorganisms to fibers and/or fabrics.