Functionalized Zeolite SPF Boosters for Lower-Filter Sunscreen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sunscreen formulations face challenges in reducing the quantity of UV filters while maintaining high sun protection efficacy, as high concentrations compromise aesthetics and pose safety risks to human health and the environment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of specific zeolites, such as Beta, ZSM-5, Linde, Mordenite, and Faujasite types, functionalized with silane moieties like thiethoxycaprylyl silane, Stearyl Triethoxysilane, or Trihydroxymethylsilane, as SPF boosters in sunscreen compositions, which enhance SPF without interacting with UV filters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high concentration of UV filters is used to increase sun protection efficacy, then SPF is improved, but safety impacts on human health and environment worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun protection efficacyVSAvoidsafety impacts on human health and environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces SPF boosters as intermediary substances that enhance the sun protection effect of UV filters without requiring increased concentrations of the filters themselves. These boosters act as mediators that amplify the protective function, allowing lower amounts of UV filters to achieve the same or higher SPF, thereby reducing harmful impacts while maintaining protection efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the formulation parameters by incorporating specific inorganic particles (silica, titanium oxide, zinc oxide) and organic compounds (xanthommatin) as SPF boosters. This parameter change allows the system to achieve higher sun protection with reduced UV filter concentrations, resolving the contradiction between efficacy and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high concentration of UV filters is used to increase sun protection efficacy, then SPF is improved, but formulation aesthetics worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun protection efficacyVSAvoidformulation aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

SPF boosters serve as intermediary agents that enhance protection without requiring high concentrations of UV filters. This allows the formulation to maintain aesthetic properties (transparency, color, texture) while achieving high SPF values, as the boosters can be used in lower amounts that do not compromise cosmetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If quantity of UV filters is reduced to improve safety and aesthetics, then harmful factors and formulation appearance are improved, but sun protection efficacy worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety impacts on human health and environmentVSAvoidsun protection efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses SPF boosters as intermediaries that compensate for the reduced concentration of UV filters. These boosters enhance the protective effect, allowing the formulation to use lower amounts of UV filters (improving safety) while maintaining or even improving sun protection efficacy through the synergistic action of the boosters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite sunscreen formulations combining UV filters with SPF boosters (inorganic particles and organic compounds). This composite approach allows the system to achieve high protection efficacy with reduced filter concentrations, as the different components work synergistically to provide enhanced sun protection.

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 functionalized zeolites significantly increase SPF by up to 200% in sunscreen formulations, improving dispersibility and reducing aggregation, while being compatible with marine-friendly UV filters and water-resistant components.

Implementation Method 1

The inorganic UV filters interact with UV light by two mechanisms: absorption and reflection/scattering, while the organic filters typically contain aromatic carbon and/or other electron-dense bonds that are responsible for absorbing light in the UV ranges of the solar spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The inorganic UV filters interact with UV light by two mechanisms: absorption and reflection/scattering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

specific type of zeolite selected among Beta type zeolite, ZSM-5 type (MFI), Linde type (LTA), Mordenite type (MOR) or Faujasite type (FAU) functionalized with a silane moiety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface functionalization: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20260108435A1Sunscreen composition with functionalized zeolite SPF boosters

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 SAES GETTERS SPA

AI summary

The present invention relates to sunscreen compositions for protecting damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays, comprising SPF boosters based on specific zeolites functionalized with a silane moiety.