Zinc Oxide Phosphor Up-conversion for Vitamin D Sunscreen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sunscreen compositions using zinc oxide (ZnO) effectively block UV light but also prevent the absorption of UV light necessary for vitamin D production, leading to an undesirable opaque texture with high SPF formulations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating phosphor materials into zinc oxide particles that perform an up-conversion process, allowing two or more photons to be emitted as one photon within a specific wavelength range, enabling the transmission of vitamin D-producing light while blocking harmful UV radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If higher density of ZnO particles is added to achieve high SPF sunscreen compositions, then UV light blocking capability is improved, but the composition becomes white and opaque which is undesirable to consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ZnO particles with phosphor materials to create a composite sunscreen composition. The phosphor materials (such as rare earth dopants like Eu3+, Dy3+, or Tb3+) are incorporated into the ZnO matrix, creating a functional composite that simultaneously provides UV blocking and vitamin D production capabilities while maintaining desirable optical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of ZnO by incorporating phosphor materials that alter the emission characteristics. The phosphors convert absorbed UV photons to emitted photons at different wavelengths, changing the effective wavelength range interaction and enabling transmission of vitamin D-producing wavelengths while maintaining UV blocking
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing sunscreen compositions block UV light to prevent skin damage, then skin protection is improved, but vitamin D production is precluded
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor materials act as intermediaries between UV radiation and the skin. They absorb harmful UV photons and convert them to lower energy photons through phosphorescence, which then can pass through to enable vitamin D production, thus mediating between protection and productivity requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts harmful UV radiation into beneficial effects by using phosphor materials that absorb UV photons and re-emit them at wavelengths that promote vitamin D production. The harmful UV energy is transformed into a beneficial stimulus for vitamin D synthesis while still providing protection
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
Enhances vitamin D production by allowing specific wavelengths of light to pass through the sunscreen, reducing the opaque texture issue associated with high SPF formulations.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more phosphor materials are capable of carrying out an up-conversion process whereby two or more photons absorbed by (i) the one or more zinc oxide particles and/or (ii) the one or more phosphor materials within a first wavelength range are emitted as at least one photon within a second wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
Sunscreen additives for enhancing vitamin D production are provided herein. A method includes selecting phosphor materials to incorporate into zinc oxide particles, wherein the phosphor materials are capable of carrying out an up-conversion process whereby two or more photons absorbed by the zinc oxide particles and/or the phosphor materials within a first wavelength range are emitted as at least one photon within a second wavelength range. The method also includes incorporating the selected phosphor materials into the zinc oxide particles. A composition includes zinc oxide particles suspended within a medium of a sunscreen composition, and phosphor materials incorporated into the zinc oxide particles, wherein the phosphor materials are capable of carrying out an up-conversion process whereby two or more photons absorbed by the zinc oxide particles and/or the phosphor materials within a first wavelength range are emitted as at least one photon within a second wavelength range.