Traditional tampons and sanitary napkins will likely be transformed by a new superabsorbent dressing that can absorb three times more liquid. According to MailOnline, the sheet is constructed of a gelatin-like material with a polymer that can absorb more than one ounce of blood in 60 seconds, whereas standard gauze dressings only absorb 55% of the quantity.
The gel sheet also effectively absorbed syrup, blood, and fluids a million times thicker than water. Scientists are working to strengthen the material and create marketable reusable sheets. Co-author Professor Srinivasa Raghavan of Maryland University said that the gel sheets, in principle, can be a superior kind of paper towel.
Making Superabsorbent Dressing
Absorbent dressings and superabsorbers for wounds are essential in wound care therapy. As per Vitality Medical, these absorbent dressings can be utilized as a main or secondary dressing due to their unique and exceptionally absorbent core being used to control bleeding. High volumes of blood could come from different kinds of wounds, and superabsorbent polymers help control them.
Researchers are trying to make superabsorbent dressing made of polymer that can soak up more than 100 times its weight in water. Generally, materials that absorb liquids are classified as porous and hydrogels.
Paper and cloth are porous materials but are not very absorbent. On the other hand, superabsorbent hydrogels made of polymer can absorb large amounts of liquid. However, hydrogel becomes brittle, just like solids, and crumbles.
Raghavan said that they had combined the desired properties of paper towels and hydrogels. The researchers explained that carbon dioxide bubbles developed within the gel resemble vinegar, meeting baking soda. Once they formed a foam-like structure, the team sandwiched it between glass slabs until it became a sheet and then exposed it to UV light to let the liquid set around the bubbles.
Finally, they dipped the sheet in alcohol and glycerol; then air dried them to let them stay soft and flexible. Raghavan said it is the first hydrogel reported to have such mechanical and tactile properties.
Testing the Superabsorbent Dressing
The team tested the superabsorbent dressing they made and placed it over 0.8 ounces of spilled water. News-Times UK reported that the sheet made from gelatin-like material with polymer soaked up within 20 seconds, while the traditional gauze dressing barely absorbed the fluid.
The cloth pad only soaked up about 60% and left drips behind. More so, the gel sheet holds the liquid well so that it can absorb over twice that of regular sanitary pads, sponges, and gauze.
Raghavan and his team plan to optimize the superabsorbent dressing by increasing its absorbency. Aside from revolutionizing future tampons, the gel sheet can potentially stop bleeding from severe wounds and be used as a dressing due to their flexibility and absorbency.
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