Theyve created pads and cups that can solidify menstrual blood rather than simply absorb or contain it as is.
Their innovation should reduce leaking and spillage, while also being environmentally friendly, the team says.
Researchers at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University developed the next-gen menstrual technology.
Left: A cotton gauze stockinette coil filled with the team’s powdered biomaterial. Right: The powder-filled coil inserted into a menstrual cup.© Bryan Hsu
Hsu figured that it would be possible to counteract this by making the blood itself harder to spill.
I know that I would 100% spill the water on the way back to bed.
These ingredients are also biodegradable and already widely added to other products, including food.
© Bataglioli et al/Matter
Theyll also have to double-check that it can be scaled up while still remaining affordable.
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