This looks interesting. When I hear "innovations in materials science" I am thinking of the period proof underwear from THINX. It's a brilliant product, especially for people with irregular cycles (like teens or peri-menopausal women) or those who don't want to insert anything into their bodies. See here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinx

They probably don't qualify for one of those grants because THINX is already a proper company marketing them. But perhaps someone could try to come up with a cheaper, but equally effective, version of periodproof underwear? Period proof means you can bleed into them but nothing comes out on the other side of your undies, plus it doesn't feel "wet".

On the BMGF website it lists as one of the requirements:

Sustainability: Current MHH products either require access to clean water to clean (e.g., menstrual cup) or result in waste (e.g., disposable pad). A transformative product would neither require neither clean water nor result in waste.

The period proof underwear does require washing after e.g. 12 or 24 hours. So perhaps it does not fit that criterion. I can't imagine anything thought that doesn't require water or results in waste. Unless you can use ultrasound to clean the garment or item instead of water, or something like that.

Regards,
Elisabeth

📢 Calling all product innovators 📢

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation just launched a new Grand Challenges Exploration looking for "Innovations in Materials Science for a Transformative Menstrual Health and Hygiene Products".


Do you have transformative and innovative ideas to support the design and development of new menstrual health & hygiene products ? Do this ideas meet key criteria of being responsive to user needs - particularly in low to middle-income country context.? Then apply!



Do you know of any company, universities, organisations or individuals working on it? Then share!



gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/innov...dJQ3Le3mhbXsafNzaOF4