Tungsten Blue Composite Antimicrobial Agents

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antimicrobial agents, particularly organic biocides and noble metals, face issues such as resistance development, high costs, and inactivation by sulfur-containing compounds or high electrolyte concentrations, while tungsten trioxide exhibits insufficient antimicrobial efficacy.

Innovation Solution

The use of oxygen-deficient tungsten trioxide, referred to as tungsten blue, which has a higher antimicrobial activity than tungsten trioxide, is employed as an antimicrobial agent, specifically WO3 minus about 5 mole % oxygen, with a preferred particle size range of 0.1 μm to 0.9 μm, and is combined with hydrophilizing agents to enhance efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If noble metals or noble metal ions are used as antimicrobial agents, then antimicrobial effect is achieved, but cost increases and inactivation by sulfur-containing compounds or high electrolyte concentrations occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by using tungsten blue (oxygen-deficient WO3) instead of noble metals, fundamentally altering the antimicrobial agent's chemical properties to achieve resistance against sulfur-containing compounds and high electrolyte concentrations while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive noble metals with tungsten blue, a cheaper alternative material that provides sustained antimicrobial activity without the cost constraints and inactivation issues associated with noble metals, effectively creating a cost-effective long-term solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If organic biocides are used to fight microorganisms, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but resistance and cross-resistance development occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical class parameter by transitioning from organic biocides to inorganic tungsten blue compounds, fundamentally altering the mechanism of action to avoid resistance development while maintaining broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of resistance development into a benefit by using tungsten blue, which exhibits intrinsic resistance-breaking capability through its unique chemical properties and mechanism of action that differs fundamentally from organic biocides

Inventive Principle:

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

3Ease of manufacture

If tungsten trioxide is used as antimicrobial agent, then cost-effectiveness is achieved, but antimicrobial efficacy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the oxidation state parameter by using tungsten blue (oxygen-deficient WO3) instead of conventional tungsten trioxide, altering the material's chemical properties to significantly enhance antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by incorporating tungsten blue into various substrate materials, enabling the integration of enhanced antimicrobial properties into practical applications while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of tungsten-based chemistry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If nanoparticles are used to increase surface area and antimicrobial activity, then antimicrobial activity is enhanced, but risks associated with nanoparticles are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter by using micrometer-sized tungsten blue particles instead of nanoparticles, maintaining effective surface area for antimicrobial activity while eliminating the health and environmental risks associated with nanoparticle-scale materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Tungsten blue demonstrates superior antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains, with improved efficacy at lower tungsten content and without the risks associated with nanoparticles, maintaining effectiveness in dry environments and throughout the composite material's lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

Tungsten trioxide is completely insoluble in water and acids, but can react with water to form tungstic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration reaction: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The biocidal effect of tungsten trioxide is based on the associated decrease of the pH value in the surrounding medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH reduction:

Data Source

PatentUS20230148606A1Improved tungsten-containing Anti-microbial composite materials

Publication Date: 2023.05.18

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of tungsten blue as an antimicrobial agent, composite materials comprising tungsten blue, and methods for the preparation thereof.