Multifunctional Compositions for Environmental Monitoring and Remediation

Publication ID: 24-11857660_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Multifunctional Compositions for Environmental Monitoring and Remediation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857660_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857660_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,660.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop novel applications in environmental monitoring and remediation, enabling the detection and removal of pollutants, heavy metals, and impurities from various sources.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed compositions for imparting color and tone to hair, but it did not explore the potential of these compositions in other fields. This inventive concept addresses the limitations of existing environmental monitoring and remediation methods by utilizing the unique properties of the original compositions to detect and remove pollutants, heavy metals, and impurities.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept involves the use of compositions including at least one amino acid, at least one carboxylic acid, monoethanolamine, and additional components tailored to specific environmental monitoring and remediation applications. For instance, the composition can be combined with air quality sensors to monitor environmental pollutants, or with metal detection agents to detect heavy metals in soil. The composition can also be integrated with filtration membranes to remove impurities from water or with pH sensors to monitor food spoilage.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of the original compositions in environmental monitoring and remediation, which is non-obvious and unexpected in light of the original patent's focus on hair care. The inventive step lies in the recognition of the compositions' potential in these new fields and the adaptation of the original technology to address specific environmental challenges.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different amino acids, carboxylic acids, or additional components to enhance the detection or removal of specific pollutants or impurities. Variations could also involve the development of portable devices or systems for in-field monitoring and remediation, or the integration of the compositions with existing environmental monitoring infrastructure.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental monitoring, remediation, and sustainability. The market for environmental monitoring and remediation technologies is growing rapidly, driven by increasing concerns about climate change, pollution, and public health. This inventive concept could be licensed or developed into products and services that address specific environmental challenges, providing a competitive advantage in the market.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61K8/466
A A61 A61K8/41
A A61 A61K8/44
A A61 A61Q5/10
A A61 A61K2800/432

Field of Art

Chemical composition design for functional materials, with expertise in surfactant chemistry, amino acid interactions, and multi-purpose chemical formulations spanning cosmetic, environmental, and analytical applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A chemical engineer or materials scientist with advanced degree, experienced in formulation design, understanding of molecular interactions, and ability to adapt chemical compositions across different technical domains

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core chemical composition from the hair care patent contains versatile molecular components with inherent properties that could be readily adapted to environmental monitoring applications. The fundamental chemical structure involving amino acids, carboxylic acids, and surfactants provides a flexible platform for sensing and interaction technologies. The technical variations proposed in the PTD represent predictable extensions of the original composition's intrinsic chemical capabilities.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Composition containing amino acids like taurine and glycine with carboxylic acids
PTD Variation
Using same chemical composition for heavy metal detection and environmental sensing
Obviousness Reasoning
Amino acids and carboxylic acids naturally exhibit chelating and binding properties, making their adaptation to metal detection a predictable design modification
Source Patent Element
Surfactant mixture with amphoteric and anionic/non-ionic components
PTD Variation
Integrating surfactant system with filtration membranes for impurity removal
Obviousness Reasoning
Surfactant properties inherently support interaction and separation mechanisms, representing a known technique for modifying material interfaces
Source Patent Element
Monoethanolamine as a key compositional component
PTD Variation
Utilizing monoethanolamine's properties for pH sensing and environmental monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Monoethanolamine's chemical characteristics make it suitable for pH-related interactions, representing a predictable application of known molecular properties
Source Patent Element
Hair color toning composition with precise molecular interactions
PTD Variation
Adapting composition for pesticide residue detection on produce
Obviousness Reasoning
Chemical sensing mechanisms are transferable across domains, with molecular binding principles remaining consistent
Source Patent Element
Complex surfactant and amino acid formulation
PTD Variation
Creating environmental monitoring systems with integrated sensor technologies
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining chemical compositions with sensing technologies represents a routine engineering design approach with predictable outcomes
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857660's comprehensive chemical composition disclosure, the present publication demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the environmental monitoring and remediation applications obvious and predictable extensions of the original hair care composition's fundamental chemical design. The molecular components and interaction mechanisms disclosed in the source patent provide sufficient teaching and motivation for adapting the composition to alternative technical domains, thereby rendering subsequent claims involving similar chemical systems obvious and non-patentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,660
TitleCompositions for imparting color and tone to the hair
Assignee(s)L'OREAL