Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
26 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
reusable sanitary pads
A team of researchers from the UFS is part of a project to invent a reusable sanitary pad that is safe, hygienic, comfortable, easy to use, and friendly to the environment. From left are: Prof Katinka de Wet, Dr Marietjie Schutte-Smith, Prof Deon Visser, and Prof Lizette Erasmus.

A new reusable sanitary pad (RSP) will bring relief to many women during their menstrual cycle.

Dr Marietjie Schutte-Smith, Senior Lecturer in the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Chemistry, together with Prof Deon Visser, Head of the Department of Chemistry, and Prof Lizette Erasmus, Associate Professor in the same department, are leading a diverse team that decided 18 months ago to do something about the challenge of not having access to conventional sanitary ware and water due to poverty and infrastructure challenges – a challenge many young women in South Africa face every month.

The team included Prof Katinka de Wet, Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, in this process in an effort to gain a better understanding of the current perceptions, experiences, and preferences of those who will ultimately use these sanitary products. 

“We wanted to do research that has a direct and tangible impact on our immediate society,” says Prof Erasmus. 

New technology

The research team turned their focus to reusable sanitary pads (RSPs), specifically the invention of a product that can be cleaned without being exposed to direct sunlight. 

Dr Schutte-Smith explains that most RSPs must be exposed to direct sunlight to dry and prevent bacterial growth. “Exposing RSPs to sunlight is challenging for users residing in densely populated areas, besides the fact that many people find the public display of sanitary products embarrassing.”

She believes a product that can be washed and left indoors to dry, one that has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties under normal light conditions, and with durable superabsorbent inner layers, could alleviate some of these challenges.

The team then started working on technology including nanoparticles (NPs) that affix to textiles and will kill germs and fungi when exposed to normal light. 

Prof Erasmus says, “Attaching NPs to materials is not a new concept, however, the use of nanoparticles that are activated by normal light conditions is new… Also, we have synthesised several absorbent materials using natural fibres and biopolymers as the main constituents. This is an ongoing process to enhance their absorbent properties and durability so that they can be included in our product.”
We wanted to do research that has a direct and tangible impact on our immediate society. – Prof Lizette Erasmus

She adds that when the RSPs are eventually discarded (after four to five years) they will break down in the environment and not contribute further to the plastic waste problem the world is facing. Most disposable sanitary pads (DSPs) are not environmentally friendly and take 500 to 800 years to decompose. 

Dr Schutte-Smith goes on to explain that the sanitary ware will be manufactured by sewing different layers together. “The outer lower layer will consist of a hydrophobic (fluid-repellent) layer to prevent leaking, and the inner layer will consist of the synthesised and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP).”

The product will be mixed into cotton and will be removable (for better cleaning). “It will also contain NPs that use natural indoor light to disinfect. The top layer also contains our nanotechnology and will relay fluids to the absorbent inner layer.”

Social implications

Besides the important work being done by chemists to incorporate technology that will ensure the product makes sense scientifically, it is also important that the experiences, perceptions, and ideas of end users are kept in mind. 

Prof De Wet says social scientists were included in the design and development of this product to ensure that the actual needs of the end users are taken into consideration. The idea is to collaborate with school learners and university students to get their feedback on the development and eventual use of these newly developed RSPs.

“The aim, therefore, is to sensitise menstruating individuals as to the possible personal advantages of using reusable sanitary pads, including that it is less expensive in the long run, thus eliminating the problem of access to quality and reliable sanitary ware. There could even be some potential health advantages to using such products, as current disposable products contain phthalates that have been shown to have adverse health effects on individuals,” she states.

Prof De Wet also points out the environmental benefits of using reusable sanitary products, and the importance of sensitising young people to the environmental costs of single-use plastic consumption, of which sanitary ware is a major contributor. “Environmental consciousness is part of the social side of the project, given the pressures globally on the human-induced impact on our planet, and its devastating consequences,” she says. “We want the science (chemistry) to have a real social impact in people’s lives individually, socially, and environmentally.”

Future steps

According to Prof Visser, the team already has a prototype in place, which now needs to be perfected through inputs from end users. They hope to have an industry partner within the next six months that will help to get this product on the market.  

The team of chemists worked hard to develop a product that will have the potential to change many lives for the better, allowing young girls and women to thrive in life. 

News Archive

Krieket - Kovsies klop SUT
2005-01-31

Johan de Jager - Volksblad OFSKOON die spanne nie op volsterkte was nie, was die superligawedstryd tussen die Universteit van die Vrystaat (UV) en die Sentrale Universiteit vir Tegnologie, Vrystaat (SUT), Saterdag op Tokkiepark in Bloemfontein 'n toonbeeld van goeie klubkrieket. Die Kovsies het hul onoorwonne rekord behou toe hulle met ses paaltjies geseëvier het. Hulle het die wenteiken van 233 lopies in die 48ste boulbeurt oortref. Die voormalige kaptein Gerald Fourie (95 nun) het die aanslag gelei, terwyl die wenspan se Ryan McLaren (2/46 en 46) 'n veelsydige vertoning gelewer het. McLaren het hom op 'n driekuns bevind toe hy die laaste twee paaltjies ingeoes en toe byna 'n vyftigtal gemoker het. Die tuisspan het goed begin. Hy het egter ses paaltjies in die laaste tien boulbeurte verloor. Die Kovsies het mooi herstel nadat hulle 24/2 gehad het. Die tuisspan se Dewald Pretorius het met 2/11 ná agt boulbeurte gespog . Die wedstryd op CBCOB se veld tussen die tuisspan en SUT II is ná 'n ruk se spel aanvanklik afgelas omdat toestande as te gevaarlik bestempel is, maar is later die middag hervat en oor 25 boulbeurte aan 'n kant beslis . SUT II is vir 82 lopies uitgehaal, waarna CBCOB die wenlopies behaal het met nog vier paaltjies staande . Schoemanpark was in Mangaung met vyf paaltjies aan die wenkant teen Rocklands, terwyl Polisie sy tweede agtereenvolgende nederlaag in die tweede ronde gely het nadat die Peshawars hom naelskraap met 'n paaltjie op die UV-ovaal geklop het. Die tuisspan se Ferdi Botha (116) se honderdtal het gehelp dat die Peshawars die wedstryd met nog twee aflewerings oor kon wen nadat Polisie vroeër 221/8 aangeteken het. Die beknopte telkaarte is: SUT 232 (I. O'Neill 37, H. von Rauenstein 67, G. Liebenberg 26, G. McLaren 28; C. Deacon 2/47, R. McLaren 2/46, G. Perry 2/29, C. Ingram 2/44); UV 234/4 (R. McLaren 46, G. Fourie 95 nun, C. Linde 27, E. Weirich 27 nun; D. Pretorius 2/29). Kovsies wen met ses paaltjies. SUT II 82 (J. Labuscagne 21, A. van Deventer 16; J. Chemaly 3/11, M. Mashimbyi 2/7, J. Malao 2/19); CBCOB 84/6 (M. Mashimbyi 22, T. van der Westhuizen 21, P. Stander 21; R. Daniël 2/6, R. Wessels 2/17). CBCOB wen met vier paaltjies. Rocklands 107 (D. Makopanele 22); Schoemanpark 108/5 (J. Smith 37; N. Sefuthi 2/14). Schoemanpark wen met vyf paaltjies. Polisie 221/8 (W. Nel 86, B. Hector 62; N. de Bruin 4/49, J. Mostert 1/19, R. de Kock 2/50); Peshawars 222/9 (F. Botha 116, J. Mostert 26; W. Thies 3/30, E. van Niekerk 3/43). Peshawars wen met 'n paaltjie.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept