Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Odor Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deodorant and antiperspirant products often cause skin irregularities such as pigmentary marks and blackheads, particularly on Asian skin, and fail to immediately and noticeably mask these imperfections while avoiding visible residues on clothing.
Innovation Solution
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are used to selectively trap odorous molecules responsible for body odor, formulated with a mixture of polymerization initiators, functional monomers, crosslinking agents, and porogenic solvents in the presence of odorous molecule templates, creating a cosmetic composition that reduces body odor without causing skin issues or leaving residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional deodorant and antiperspirant products are used to reduce body odor, then odor control is improved, but skin irregularities such as pigmentary marks and blackheads occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful function of conventional deodorants that cause skin irritation and irregularities. By using molecularly imprinted polymers that selectively trap odorous molecules through molecular recognition, the harmful bactericidal and enzymatic inhibition functions are eliminated while retaining the odor control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanism parameter from chemical action (bactericides, enzyme inhibitors) to physical action (molecular recognition and trapping). This parameter change transforms the deodorant mechanism from one that kills bacteria or blocks enzymes to one that selectively binds and removes odorous molecules, thereby avoiding skin damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional deodorant products are applied to mask skin imperfections, then cosmetic appearance is improved, but visible residues on clothing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The molecularly imprinted polymers function as single-use trapping agents that bind odorous molecules and are then rinsed away with water, leaving no persistent residue on clothing. The polymers perform their odor-trapping function and are then discarded in the rinse water, analogous to disposable items that serve their purpose and are discarded.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bactericidal substances are used to eliminate body odor by destroying bacterial flora, then odor control effectiveness is improved, but skin health deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of bacteria (producing odor) into a beneficial selective trapping mechanism. The molecularly imprinted polymers are designed with cavities that match the shape and chemical properties of specific odorous molecules, allowing selective binding and removal of these molecules without affecting the bacterial flora or skin health.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
MIPs effectively reduce or eliminate human body odor by specifically trapping odorous molecules, addressing skin imperfections and residue concerns, while maintaining a natural appearance and avoiding clothing stains.
Implementation Method 1
Molecularly imprinted polymers (or MIPs) for odorous molecule(s), as an agent for trapping molecules that are at the surface of keratin materials preferentially as deodorant agent
Implementation Method 2
MIPs effectively reduce or eliminate human body odor by specifically trapping odorous molecules
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of molecularly imprinted polymer(s) or MIPs, of odorous molecule(s), as deodorant agent in particular for selectively trapping molecules that are the cause of human body odour. More particularly by using MIPs which may be obtained via polymerization, preferably via radical polymerization, of a mixture of: i) optionally one or more polymerization initiator(s); ii) one or more functional monomer(s); iii) one or more crosslinking agent(s); and iv) one or more porogenic solvent(s); it being understood that the polymerization a) or b) is performed in the presence v) of one or more “templates” of target molecule(s) responsible for human body odour. Another subject of the invention concerns a process for preparing MIPs as defined previously, MIPs obtained via this process, and a cosmetic composition comprising at least one MIP as defined previously. Unexpectedly, it appears that the MIPs make it possible to specifically trap precursors of odorous molecules and odorous molecules that may be used in cosmetic formulations, especially those that are the cause of the unpleasant odour of sweat.