MOMENTUM • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 25 close to the evaporation-inducing material , the duct became clogged within seconds . A gel-like plug formed within the duct near the exit , creating a seal . Even when the pressure pushing the liquid was increased , the clog was able to maintain the seal .
“ Over the past few years in particular , I ’ ve noticed that my wife and many of her friends have been transitioning to more natural cosmetic and cleaning products ,” said Boreyko . “ There is also an increasing push from regulatory agencies , particularly in Europe , to restrict the use of metals in antiperspirants . Our research has discovered the most natural antiperspirant in existence : the minerals within the sweat itself ! It is exciting to find that simply making the sweat evaporate faster can cause natural mineral plugs that have the potential of replacing metal-based products in the future .”
With the concept proven , the team is moving toward application . Possibilities for extending the concept to human trials could include using an applicator stick , similar in form to current products , or a wearable adhesive . In either case , the next goal is to demonstrate in a human trial that the proper water-attracting product could facilitate natural clogging from the body ’ s own sweat .
Findings from this research were published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces on Nov . 16 , 2020 .
The Nature-Inspired Fluids and Interfaces Lab created a simulated sweat gland experiment to test the theory of natural clogging of pores .