Innovation in menstrual hygiene has long focused on absorbency and comfort. Recent material science research suggests a shift toward functional layers designed to actively interact with microbes rather than simply mask odor with fragrances. A growing area of interest is the use of graphene-based materials and mineral additives such as tourmaline inside sanitary products.

At the center of this shift is a thin fabric layer often referred to as a graphene anion or functional chip, which is non-electronic and embedded within hygiene products. Its relevance lies not in circuitry, but in material composition and surface interaction with bacteria. Importantly, the term “anion chip” is a commercial descriptor rather than a standardized scientific classification.

Graphene is widely studied in material science for its exceptional strength, ultra-thin structure, and antimicrobial behavior. A peer-reviewed review published in the journal Coatings reports that graphene antimicrobial materials can inhibit bacterial growth through several mechanisms.

Laboratory research shows that graphene-based materials can:

• Disrupt bacterial cell membranes through direct contact

• Induce oxidative stress that damages microbial cells

• Interfere with bacterial survival without chemical biocides

These properties have positioned graphene-based antimicrobial materials for use in coatings, wound dressings, and hygiene-related applications. However, the review emphasizes that most antimicrobial evidence comes from in vitro laboratory models rather than human skin exposure studies. Current evidence remains largely limited to controlled laboratory settings.

Tourmaline is a naturally occurring mineral known for its ability to emit far-infrared radiation and negative ions due to its physical structure. A textile engineering study published in the IOSR Journal of Polymer and Textile Engineering explored tourmaline-infused cotton fabrics used in intimate garments.

The study found that:

• Fabrics treated with tourmaline showed reduced bacterial growth in laboratory testing

• The material helped control odor without added fragrances

• Tourmaline functioned as a mineral-based antimicrobial component

These findings suggest that tourmaline negative ions may support odor control sanitary pads and garments by limiting bacterial activity on fabric surfaces. However, the study does not evaluate prolonged skin contact during menstruation or repeated use over multiple cycles.

A Chinese patent published in 2009 describes a sanitary napkin containing a fabric layer infused with infrared-emitting and negative-ion-producing materials. The patent outlines the technical method of embedding this functional layer into hygiene products.

Key verified details include:

• The chip is non-electronic and textile-based

• It incorporates mineral powders capable of emitting infrared radiation and negative ions

• The patent describes construction and materials, not clinical outcomes

While the patent claims health-related functionality, it does not provide human safety or efficacy data, underscoring the difference between technical invention and clinical validation. Patents establish feasibility of design, not medical effectiveness or regulatory approval.

Although laboratory studies on graphene antimicrobial materials and tourmaline-based textiles show promising antimicrobial and odor-reducing effects, researchers consistently note important knowledge gaps.

These include:

• Long-term skin exposure safety

• Standardized material concentration and dosing

• Large-scale human studies under real menstrual conditions

Currently, no high-quality clinical trials confirm the long-term safety or health benefits of graphene or mineral-infused layers when used repeatedly in menstrual hygiene products. Current evidence supports material performance, but not definitive health benefits in long-term menstrual use.

The growing interest in graphene anion chips and mineral-infused pads reflects a broader shift in menstrual hygiene innovation. Brands and researchers are increasingly exploring functional hygiene materials rather than relying on plastics, perfumes, or chemical odor-masking agents.

This approach focuses on:

• Passive antimicrobial action

• Reduced reliance on fragrances

• Material-driven odor control

It represents an evolution in product design grounded in material science rather than cosmetic additives. However, regulatory oversight and long-term safety validation remain essential as these materials move from experimental use to commercial products.

The integration of graphene antimicrobial materials and tourmaline negative ions into sanitary products signals a new direction for odor control sanitary pads.

References:

1. Yaragalla, Srinivasarao, Karanath Balendran Bhavitha, and Athanassia Athanassiou. 2021. “A Review on Graphene Based Materials and Their Antimicrobial Properties.” Coatings 11, no. 10: 1197. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/11/10/1197

2. Wang Zhan-ying and Liu Qing-ye. Far-Infrared Anion Sanitary Napkin and Health-Cared Pad. China patent CN1879584A, filed June 14, 2005, published December 20, 2006. Google Patents. https://patents.google.com/patent/CN1879584A/en.

3. Muttharachchi, Ranmini Dulangana. 2025. “Odorless Intimate Garments Made of Tourmaline Infused Cotton Fabric Produced Via a Screen Printing Process.” IOSR Journal of Polymer and Textile Engineering 12, no. 1 (January-February): 14-19. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jpte/papers/Vol12-Issue1/B12011419.pdf.

_MSM