Stimulus-responsive mesh

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mesh materials struggle to provide both high ventilation and water resistance, with removable waterproof covers being inconvenient and waterproof textiles offering limited breathability.

Innovation Solution

A stimulus-responsive mesh formed from hydrogel fibers that automatically adjust pore size in response to environmental stimuli such as moisture, temperature, light, and chemical composition, allowing for variable ventilation and water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removable waterproof cover is added to provide water resistance, then waterproofing performance is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to additional components and manual adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the waterproofing function and ventilation function into a single integrated mesh material. The hydrogel-coated mesh merges the structural role of the mesh with the responsive waterproofing role of the hydrogel, eliminating the need for separate waterproof covers while maintaining both waterproofing and breathability functions in one component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel-coated mesh performs self-regulating waterproofing by automatically responding to environmental moisture levels. When exposed to rain or high humidity, the hydrogel absorbs water and changes its properties to block water penetration, while allowing vapor transmission during dry conditions, without requiring manual intervention or additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a removable waterproof cover is added to provide water resistance, then waterproofing performance is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to manual addition and removal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidconvenience of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If waterproof textiles are used to provide water resistance, then waterproofing performance is improved, but ventilation performance worsens due to limited breathability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidventilation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the ability of hydrogel to change its physical and chemical parameters in response to environmental conditions. The hydrogel's swelling ratio, porosity, and permeability parameters dynamically adjust based on moisture content, allowing the material to transition between breathable and waterproof states, thereby simultaneously achieving both ventilation and waterproofing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining mesh structure with hydrogel coating. This composite leverages the open porous structure of the mesh for ventilation while the hydrogel layer provides selective water blocking, achieving both high breathability and effective waterproofing in a single integrated material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 mesh provides adaptive breathability and waterproofing by automatically adjusting pore size to match environmental conditions, enhancing convenience and performance in outdoor products.

Implementation Method 1

a stimulus-responsive mesh formed from hydrogel fibers that automatically adjust pore size in response to environmental stimuli such as moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a hydrogel is a material, typically a crosslinked polymer, that is hydrophilic. Due to its hydrophilic nature, a hydrogel may expand in size without losing its structural integrity when exposed to high concentrations of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentUS12351955B2Stimulus-responsive mesh

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DRESDEN

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a stimulus-responsive mesh made from hydrogel fibers that provide varying degrees of ventilation depending on environmental conditions. The hydrogel fibers may be arranged into a mesh with openings that change size depending on the degree of swelling of the hydrogel fibers. As the hydrogel fibers of the mesh change (e.g., from a contracted state to/from a swollen state), fluids may flow through the mesh at a variable flow rate that depends on the degree of swelling. The swelling of the hydrogel fibers may be responsive to changes in the ambient environment experienced by the mesh, including, for example, the moisture level at the mesh, the temperature level of the mesh, the chemical composition of the moisture incident the mesh, the presence of magnetic/electric fields near the mesh, and/or the light level at the mesh. In this manner, the ambient environment may determine the degree of swelling of the hydrogel fibers, and changes in the environment may cause moisture to be actively expelled from the mesh. The stimulus-responsive mesh may be used in a variety of products and may be particular useful, for example, for outdoor products such as bicycle helmets, tent screens, and outdoor clothing.