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    Basic Information

Technology developed: SAP free Nanofibers based Sanitary Napkins Safe and Green Alternative (TP19763960834)
Category: Product (Hardware/Material/Software)
Details of Inventor(s):
Inventor Institution/Organization/Company Department Designation
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Sharma IIT Hydrabad Chemical Engineering Associate Professor
Technical Application Area: Healthcare
If 'Other', please specify:
Please give more details of new technical application area:
The feminine sanitary napkin is an important disposable absorbent hygiene product. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) which are added in the absorbent core of sanitary napkins in order to improve their absorption capacity have certain adverse effects on the user’s health and also on environment due to their non-biodegradable nature. Here, we propose the use of electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber matrix as an absorbent core material in feminine sanitary napkins considering their higher absorbency even without adding SAP owing to large surface area and porosity. Sanitary napkins without SAP may also be a solution for their safe disposal and therefore, may have global impact on health and environment in near future.
Organization(s):
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad
Affiliated Ministry: Institution Funding (Self Supported)
Type of technology development: Indigenous
Does the technology help in replacing any import items currently
procured from outside India?
Yes
Does the technology have export potential? Yes
Category of Technology developed: Immediate Deployment
Stage of Development: Lab-Scale
Please describe in detail including the TRL Level:
Elimination of non-biodegradable and hazardous superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in female hygiene products (sanitary napkins) to provide a safe alternative without compromising the performance. 2. Safer for end-users and Greener for environment upon disposal The feminine sanitary napkin is an important disposable absorbent hygiene product. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are added in the absorbent core of sanitary napkins in order to improve their absorption capacity. However, they are found to have certain adverse effects on the health of user and also on environment. We have replaced micron sized fibrils with electrospun nanofabric due to its large specific surface area and controllable porosity and to eliminate the use of SAPs and other chemicals and that too without compromising the performance. Nanofibers based sanitary napkins have been tested and their performance is evaluated in terms of free and equilibrium absorbency, absorbency under load, residue tests and mechanical properties. Results are then compared with commercially available products. Based on the results, we conclude that nanofibers based sanitary napkins eliminate the use of SAPs which may potentially address the related health concerns as well apart from solving disposal problem. Nanofibers based sanitary napkins provide a better alternative to achieve even higher absorbency that too without adding SAP. Sanitary napkins without SAP can be a solution for its safe disposal

    Abstract:

Applications: Disposable sanitary napkins are currently only used by about 12% of women in India, due to a lack of accessibility, affordability and disposability. Poor menstrual hygiene increases women’s vulnerability to reproductive tract infections, poor reproductive health and also discontinuation of teenage girls from schools/colleges. These safer, affordable and greener nanofibers based sanitary napkins technology may revolutionize the feminine hygiene sector which is a steadily growing market worldwide.
Advantages: Support for technology transfer/co-licensing the technology Support for scale up production of nanofibers. Nanofibers based Sanitary Napkins: 7.50 INR/pad Nanofibers based compact, leak-proof, smooth absorbent core with enhanced absorption properties (ii) Only product without the use of non-biodegradable petroleum based superabsorbant polymers, bleaching agents, dioxins. Anti-bacterial and anti-odour active materials derived from natural herbs

    Technology Inputs:

Imported Equipment/Spare Parts:
Equipment/Spare Parts Year ITC-HS Code
NA
Indigenous Equipment/Spare Parts:
Equipment/Spare Parts Year ITC-HS Code
NA
Imported Raw Materials:
Raw Materials Year ITC-HS Code
NA
Indigenous Raw Materials:
Raw Materials Year ITC-HS Code
NA
Existing R&D Facilities used:
Facilities Year ITC-HS Code
NA

   Patents & Publications:

Patents:
Filed Patents (No.) Granted Patents (No.) Year
0 0 NA
Publications:
Submitted (No.) Published (No.) Year
0 0 NA

    Commercialization Potential:

Who are the Potential Licensees?
What commercially available products address
the same problem?
Company Product Problem Addressed
Would you like to develop this invention further with
corporate research support?
Yes
Would you be interested in participating in cluster based
programs for commercialization research or business
planning for your invention?
Yes
      Submitted by: The Dean R and D Date of Submission: 5-8-2020



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