Wearable Composite Material for Rapid Thermal Decontamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pandemics lead to shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the disposable nature of most PPE, necessitating a solution for rapid and efficient decontamination of PPE to reduce waste and ensure continuous supply.

Innovation Solution

A composite material comprising an electrically insulating upper layer, a conductive layer for Joule heating, and a thermally insulating backing layer, which can be integrated into wearable items like gloves for rapid in situ thermal decontamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disposable PPE is used to ensure continuous supply during pandemics, then reliability of PPE supply is improved, but loss of substance (waste) increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePPE supply continuityVSAvoidPPE waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements thermal decontamination to recover and reuse PPE materials. The system heats PPE to high temperatures to kill viral contaminants, then allows the PPE to cool and be reused multiple times, transforming a single-use disposable model into a reusable model that recovers valuable PPE materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the PPE material through controlled heating cycles. By raising the temperature to decontamination levels (sufficient to kill viruses) and then cooling it back down, the material properties are temporarily altered for sterilization and then restored for reuse, enabling multiple service cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If rapid thermal decontamination is achieved through Joule heating, then decontamination speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination speedVSAvoidcomposite material structure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the PPE material into multiple functional layers: an electrically conductive layer for Joule heating, an electrically insulating layer to prevent short circuits, and a thermally insulating layer to protect the wearer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material structure combining materials with different properties: conductive materials (e.g., metal-coated fabrics) for rapid heat generation, electrically insulating materials to ensure safety, and thermally insulating materials to protect the user. This composite approach enables rapid decontamination while managing the complexity through standardized material combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If Joule heating is used for rapid decontamination, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic heating cycles rather than continuous heating. The system activates Joule heating for a controlled duration to reach decontamination temperatures, then interrupts the heating to allow cooling. This periodic action pattern (heat-cool-heat-cool) enables efficient energy use while providing natural temperature control through cyclic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control circuitry that monitors the PPE temperature during heating cycles. The system adjusts the power delivery based on detected temperature levels, preventing overheating while ensuring sufficient heat is applied for decontamination. This feedback mechanism simplifies temperature control by using real-time data to automatically adjust heating parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 composite material achieves a 3-log reduction in viral contaminants within seconds, reducing PPE waste and mitigating supply chain disruptions, while maintaining safety and dexterity for the wearer.

Implementation Method 1

a conductive layer which promotes Joule heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250121106A1Wearable composite materials for rapid in situ thermal decontamination

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Provided is a composite material including an electrically insulating upper layer; a conductive layer which promotes Joule heating; and a thermally insulating backing layer configured to provide support and thermal insulation. The conductive layer is adhered to the thermally insulating backing layer, and the electrically insulating upper layer is adhered to the conductive layer. Also provided are an article including the composite material; a method of fabricating the composite material; a system including the composite material, a controller, and a power source; a method of thermally decontaminating the composite material; and method of thermoregulation.