Silicon-Based Water Filter for Stable Hydrogen Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing hydrogen water face challenges such as difficulty in obtaining high-purity hydrogen, safety concerns, and adverse health effects due to magnesium hydroxide production, which complicates its use with certain cardiovascular drugs.

Innovation Solution

A filter and method involving a precursor with a nano silicon material and a binder, where the filtering material is bound with the nano silicon material through heating and pressing, creating a stable composite that effectively removes undesired substances from water while producing hydrogen gas and silicic acid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If magnesium powder or magnesium tablet is reacted with pure water to generate hydrogen gas, then hydrogen water is produced, but magnesium hydroxide is produced as a byproduct which may cause adverse health effects and drug interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen gas contentVSAvoidmagnesium hydroxide adverse effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by replacing magnesium metal with silicon-based materials (silicon powder, silicon carbide, or silane) as the hydrogen generation source. This substitution fundamentally alters the reaction chemistry to eliminate magnesium hydroxide production while maintaining hydrogen gas generation capability through alternative reactions with water or oxygen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts potentially harmful substances into beneficial ones by using silicon-based materials that produce silicon dioxide or silicic acid as byproducts instead of magnesium hydroxide. These silicon-based byproducts are presented as safe, non-toxic substances that do not interfere with medications, thereby converting a harmful chemical byproduct issue into a safe alternative

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If high-purity hydrogen is directly dissolved in pure water, then hydrogen water is produced, but it is difficult to obtain high-purity hydrogen and dissolve it effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen gas contentVSAvoiddifficulty in obtaining and dissolving high-purity hydrogen
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating hydrogen-generating materials (silicon powder, silicon carbide, or silane) directly into the water filtration system before water consumption. This allows hydrogen gas to be generated in situ and dissolved into the water as it passes through the filter, eliminating the need for separate hydrogen generation and dissolution steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by employing silicon-based compounds as mediators that facilitate hydrogen generation and dissolution. These materials act as intermediaries between water and hydrogen gas, enabling controlled hydrogen release and dissolution through chemical reactions with water or oxygen in the water

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If high content of magnesium hydroxide is produced, then hydrogen gas is generated, but it may lead to acute drug poisoning, acute renal failure, hypermagnesemia or other adverse health conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen gas production efficiencyVSAvoidadverse health conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing magnesium-based hydrogen generation with silicon-based materials. This parameter change maintains or improves hydrogen production efficiency while fundamentally eliminating the production of harmful magnesium hydroxide byproducts that cause adverse health effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful magnesium hydroxide byproduct into beneficial silicon-based compounds (silicon dioxide or silicic acid) that are safe for human consumption. This transformation maintains hydrogen production capability while converting a harmful substance into a beneficial or neutral byproduct

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 filter effectively prevents plugging and stabilizes the production of hydrogen gas and silicic acid in water, ensuring safe and efficient hydrogen water production without the adverse effects of magnesium hydroxide.

Implementation Method 1

reacting magnesium powder or a magnesium tablet with pure water to generate hydrogen gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

heating and pressing the precursor to obtain the filter in which the filtering material is bound with the nano silicon material through the binder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating and pressing: Sintering

Implementation Method 3

the filtering material is capable of removing, absorbing or separating undesired substances from a to-be-treated solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the filtering material is capable of removing, absorbing or separating undesired substances from a to-be-treated solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3476458B1Filter and method of preparing the same
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 AUO CRYSTAL CORP
  • EP3476458B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3476458B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3476458B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A filter and a method of preparing thereof are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a precursor that includes a binder (12) and an active composition (11) containing a filtering material (111) and a nano silicon material (112); and heating and pressing the precursor to obtain the filter. In the filter thus obtained, the filtering material (111) is bound with the nano silicon material (112) through the binder (12).