Process for absorbing ultraviolet radiation using dispersed melanin
Abstract: This invention is a process for absorbing ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere by dispersing melanin, its analogs, or derivatives into the atmosphere. By appropriate choice of melanin composition, size of melanin dispersoids, and their concentration, the melanin will absorb some quantity of ultraviolet radiation and thereby lessen its overall effect on the critters who would normally absorb such radiation.
...A variety of materials have been introduced into the atmosphere for an equally wide variety of reasons. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,810 and 3,608,820, both to Kooser, suggest the concept of dispensing surfactants, salts, water-soluble poly-electrolytes, or mixtures thereof to disperse fogs or to cause rain. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,624 to Kuhne et al., suggests the use of a combination of sugar alcohols, saccharides, and polyvinyl alcohol in combination with low melting point alkane-diols, triols, or polyols. The mixture is sprayed into fog or clouds in a finely-dispersed form to either coalesce fog or dispel clouds.
A classic silver iodide cloud seeding generator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,126,155 to Lohse. The device operates by using a method similar to that found in a carburetor. A fluid under pressure is introduced into a venturi. The air flowing through the venturi is accelerated and disperses the silver iodide-containing solution into small droplets.
In Cicerone et al., "Reduced Ozone Depletions in a Model with Hydrocarbon Injections", Science 254, pp.1191-1194 (1991), the concept of introducing hydrocarbons into the upper atmosphere is found. This is said to be a method for removing active chlorine from the atmosphere. Chlorine singlets are believed to result in reaction of ozone to form oxygen.
In Chang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,186, is described a process for introducing Welsbach materials and metal oxides which have high emissivities (and hence low reflectivities) into the atmosphere. Such particles would absorb long wavelength energy and radiate it into space.
Another venturi passage used for atmospheric seeding is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,507 to Jones. Other known methods for dispersing materials into the atmosphere include those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,654 to Yates et al., and 4,948,050 to Picot. The Yates patent shows an airfoil-shaped body which has an open slot at the trailing edge. Located within the interior of the airfoil is a distributor having a series of small orifices which spray droplets toward the trailing edge of the airfoil with its open slot. As the dispersed liquid leaves the slot it is even further comminuted into much smaller droplets.
The Picot patent shows a rotary liquid spray atomizer for aerial spraying. The atomizer is driven by a variable speed motor which may be driven by a variable speed AC generator.
None of the methods or devices suggested for dispersing materials into the atmosphere suggests dispersing melanin for any purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is to a process for dispersing melanins incorporated into microsize microspheres into the atmosphere at a level below the ozone layer to absorb UV rays, particularly those having a wavelength of 250-400 nanometers and more particularly those at 320-400 nanometers, coming through the ozone layer before they reach the Earth's surface.