Sol-Gel Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Odor Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deodorant and antiperspirant products often cause skin irregularities such as pigmentary marks, dyschromia, 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 as deodorant agents, specifically designed to trap odorous molecules on the skin's surface through sol-gel polymerization, utilizing templates that mimic the shape and structure of odorous compounds like 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid, reducing body odor and eliminating skin imperfections.
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 achieved, but skin irregularities such as pigmentary marks, dyschromia, and blackheads occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the template molecules (odorous compounds) from the polymer matrix after polymerization, creating specific cavities that selectively bind only to target odorous molecules. This extraction process eliminates the need for harsh chemical substances that cause skin irritation, allowing odor control without skin damage
Solution Approach 2:
The molecularly imprinted polymer acts as an intermediary substance between the skin and odorous molecules. The polymer's specific cavities selectively capture odorous compounds before they can interact with skin bacteria, providing odor control without the need for direct skin contact with harsh bactericides or aluminum salts that cause skin irregularities
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional deodorant products are applied to mask skin imperfections, then skin irregularities are hidden, but visible residues remain on clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The molecularly imprinted polymer possesses a porous structure with specific cavities sized to match target odorous molecules. This porous architecture allows the polymer to absorb and trap odorous compounds and skin imperfections within its matrix, preventing them from transferring to clothing while maintaining a residue-free appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer exhibits local quality through its specifically tailored cavities that are sized and shaped to match particular odorous molecules. This localized molecular recognition allows selective binding of target compounds at specific sites within the polymer matrix, providing targeted masking and odor control without general residue deposition
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 and hide skin imperfections immediately upon application, leaving no visible residues on clothing, addressing the limitations of existing products.
Implementation Method 1
molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as agents for trapping molecule(s) that are at the surface of keratin materials
Implementation Method 2
selectively trapping the odorous molecules or molecules responsible for human body odour
Implementation Method 3
process for preparing the said polymers via 'sol-gel' polymerization
Implementation Method 4
polymerization via the process known as 'sol-gel' polymerization. During the transformation of the reaction medium, the viscosity increases, passing from a 'sol' to a porous, rigid network known as a 'gel'
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 of “sol-gel” type; it being understood that the polymerization 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 NI 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.