How this Chennai researcher came up with 'India’s first and fastest biodegradable sanitary napkin'

Summary

In her presentation, Dr. Priti Ramadas introduces the fastest biodegradable sanitary napkin, a product born from her passion for sustainable materials as a polymer scientist. After overcoming initial skepticism, she developed a fully biodegradable napkin made from modified cellulose, designed to degrade within 15 to 17 days in soil. Unlike existing bioplastics, which can persist for years, her innovative design enhances soil quality post-degradation. Dr. Ramadas emphasizes the importance of using non-hazardous, plant-based materials, highlighting the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives in women's health products and the significant environmental benefits of her invention.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Dr. Priti Ramadas is developing the fastest biodegradable sanitary napkin in the world, focusing on sustainable materials.
• 👩‍🔬 As a polymer scientist, she aims to create a completely biodegradable product, motivated by personal experiences with plastic-based napkins.
• 📚 In 2015, she faced challenges in pitching her biodegradable project to professors at Anna University due to its non-trendy nature.
• 🤝 Professor Arivoli supported her PhD proposal, marking the beginning of her research journey in biodegradable materials.
• 🧪 The project led to the filing of a patent in November 2018, with the patent granted in 2020 after extensive research.
• 🔬 The biodegradable napkin comprises three layers, all made from modified cellulose derived from various plant sources.
• 💧 The top and bottom layers are designed to be hydrophobic, while the middle layer is hydrophilic for fluid absorption.
• 🌱 The project emphasizes using plant-based, non-hazardous chemicals for cross-linking to avoid environmental harm.
• ⏳ The biodegradable napkin decomposes completely in 15 to 17 days when buried in soil, contrasting with existing products that may not fully degrade.
• ⚠️ Unlike compostable materials, which require specific conditions, her product is both biodegradable and compostable, enhancing soil health by increasing nitrogen levels after degradation.

Q & A

What motivated Dr. Priti Ramadas to work on biodegradable materials?

Dr. Priti Ramadas was motivated by her experience as a polymer scientist and her personal challenges with plastic-based sanitary napkins, which prompted her to develop a fully biodegradable alternative.

What significant achievement did Dr. Ramadas accomplish in 2018?

In 2018, Dr. Ramadas filed a patent for her biodegradable sanitary napkin, marking a key milestone in her research and development journey.

What are the three layers of the biodegradable napkin made of?

The napkin consists of three different types of cellulose derived from various plant sources, with modifications made by Dr. Ramadas to enhance its properties.

How does the hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the layers function in the napkin?

The top and bottom layers are designed to be hydrophobic (water-repelling), while the middle layer is hydrophilic (water-absorbing), allowing for effective fluid management.

What is the degradation time of Dr. Ramadas's biodegradable napkin?

The biodegradable napkin takes approximately 15 to 17 days to degrade completely when buried in soil.

How does Dr. Ramadas's product differ from existing biodegradable materials on the market?

Unlike many biodegradable materials that use polylactic acid (PLA), which is compostable but not fully biodegradable, Dr. Ramadas's napkin is designed to be both compostable and biodegradable, degrading naturally in soil without leaving harmful residues.

What concerns exist regarding other bioplastics currently available?

Many bioplastics do not fully degrade even after several years, leaving small hazardous particles that can harm soil fertility.

What is the environmental impact of Dr. Ramadas's biodegradable napkin after degradation?

After degradation, the napkin reportedly increases soil nitrogen levels by 20%, enhancing soil fertility rather than harming it.

What approach did Dr. Ramadas take regarding hazardous chemicals in her product development?

Dr. Ramadas aimed to avoid hazardous chemicals by selecting plant-based cross-linkers to modify the napkin's properties without compromising safety.

What were the challenges Dr. Ramadas faced when pitching her research proposal?

When she first pitched her biodegradable materials proposal in 2015, it was not a popular or trendy topic, which made it difficult to gain support from professors at Anna University.