Spherical PHA Particle Composition for Non-Aggregating Personal Care
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current PHA particles used in personal care formulations are nano-sized, form large aggregates, lack spherical shape and smooth surface, and change size or refractive index, leading to undesirable effects and poor sensory feel.
Innovation Solution
Developed PHA particles with a sphericity of at least 0.95, solidity of at least 90%, and Dv50 particle size from 1 μm to 50 μm, prepared by mixing PHA polymers with additional polymers and melt-kneading or heating the mixture, to enhance blendability and optical benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nano-sized PHA particles are used, then biodegradability is achieved, but particle aggregation and poor sensory feel occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter from nano-scale to micro-scale (1-50 μm), which fundamentally alters the physical behavior of PHA particles. This parameter change prevents aggregation while maintaining biodegradability, and also enables the particles to provide the desired sensory feel and optical effects in cosmetic formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spherical microbead geometry with controlled size (1-50 μm diameter). The spherical shape with smooth surface prevents particle aggregation by minimizing surface contact area, while the specific size range ensures proper sensory feel and optical diffusion without causing aggregation issues that plague nano-sized particles.
2Ease of operation
If PHA particles are made spherical with smooth surface, then sensory feel is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a self-organizing emulsion-based process where spherical particles form spontaneously through phase separation and coalescence during water evaporation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex extrusion or molding equipment, achieving smooth spherical surfaces through natural physical processes rather than sophisticated manufacturing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical particle formation methods (extrusion, molding) with a chemical-physical emulsion process. By substituting mechanical systems with a self-organizing emulsion-based approach, the manufacturing process becomes simpler while still producing particles with the desired smooth spherical morphology for optimal sensory feel.
3Area of stationary object
If PHA particles are made porous, then surface area is increased, but blendability with formulation components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent actually uses the opposite approach - it creates non-porous solid particles with smooth surfaces. This deliberate avoidance of porosity ensures that the particles do not absorb formulation components, thereby maintaining excellent blendability and uniform distribution in cosmetic formulations, while still providing sufficient surface area for optical effects through their micro-scale size.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a composition comprising polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) particles, wherein the PHA particles comprise at least one PHA polymer, and methods of preparing the PHA particles. These compositions of PHA particles are prepared by mixing at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer and at least one additional polymer that is not a PHA polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of using the compositions of PHA particles in personal care compositions as well as personal care formulations comprising the personal care compositions.