Use of radiation in the production of hydrogels

The first hydrogel for wound dressing processed by radiation left the laboratories in Poland in 1986 by the hands of its inventor Janusz M. Rosiak and soon, after formal tests, arrived in the local market (1992). It was a technological breakthrough due to its product characteristics as pain reliever and enhanced healing properties besides its clever production process combining sterilization and crosslinking in a simultaneous operation. IAEA invited professor Rosiak to support the transference of his technology for many laboratories around the world. The laboratories of developing countries, which face all kinds of restrictions, were seduced by the simplicity of the process and low cost of its raw materials. This was the seed of the flourishing activities in hydrogel dressings in Brazil and other developing countries. The technology transfer of the radiation production of hydrogel dressings and other hydrogels to the Brazilian industry is under way. The usual issues associated with radiation processing arise from this experience, i.e. capital costs, misinformation about radiation and lack of expertise on radiation processing. Some other issues concerning local market and social peculiarities also add to the problem. Notwithstanding, many different opportunities arise from those challenges. These technical and commercial issues are roughly: (i) There are plenty of new hydrogels in the market and all say the same. What else radiation processed hydrogels can say? (ii) Regarding to hydrogels and its industrial production as market product, what are the unique characteristics of radiation processing? It was shown that the radiation is a powerful tool for producing hydrogels the same basic formula with improved flexibility, control and purity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.