Absorbent Alternatives to Diapers: Ideas for Summer Project

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For a summer project requiring high absorbency without using diapers, various alternatives were discussed, including puppy pads, surgical pads, and specialized absorbent materials. The project involves containing up to 2 liters of water in a box that will be filmed with a fisheye camera, necessitating effective water management due to potential high and zero gravity conditions. Puppy pads were highlighted for their ability to absorb moisture without leaking, while surgical pads were suggested for their absorbent properties. The use of pads containing dry gel technology was recommended for their moisture-wicking capabilities. The discussion also touched on the practicality of cutting pads for disguise purposes and the potential use of materials similar to those found in waterbeds. Overall, the focus remained on finding a discreet, effective solution for managing water spillage in a visually sensitive project.
duhuhu
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Hey guys! For a project that I am doing this summer, I need to have something that has a lot of absorbancy (much like a diaper) but it can't be a diaper because the project will be filmed and distributed about my university and I don't want it to be coated in diapers. Do you guys have any ideas on what I could use? I was thinking something along the lines of puppy pads but I have no idea how absorbent they are.
 
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Paper towels?
 
Surgical pads?
 
duhuhu said:
Hey guys! For a project that I am doing this summer, I need to have something that has a lot of absorbancy (much like a diaper) but it can't be a diaper because the project will be filmed and distributed about my university and I don't want it to be coated in diapers. Do you guys have any ideas on what I could use? I was thinking something along the lines of puppy pads but I have no idea how absorbent they are.
Can you explain how these will be used and what their visibility would be?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Paper towels?
It is a good idea, but I need it to be super absorbent.

phion said:
Surgical pads?
That is also a good idea, I will have to look into the volume of water they can absorb...

The problem I am having is that I have about 2 liters of water that if it leaks will need to be absorbed completely across a surface area of about 8 square feet with a maximum thickness of about a quarter inch.
 
Evo said:
Can you explain how these will be used and what their visibility would be?
They will be lining a box that the project and camera is in. The box will experience both high and zero G loads so we expect the water to possibly go everywhere. The camera will be a fisheye camera so it will see everything. The project itself is mostly a bunch of tubes and pumps, so the walls will be pretty clearly visible
 
duhuhu said:
They will be lining a box that the project and camera is in. The box will experience both high and zero G loads so we expect the water to possibly go everywhere. The camera will be a fisheye camera so it will see everything. The project itself is mostly a bunch of tubes and pumps, so the walls will be pretty clearly visible
I would suggest maybe the pads that have that dry gel that absorbs and holds so much moisture, it also wicks the moisture away from the top of the pad, could you cut the pads to disguise them? But I don't know if cutting the pads would compromise their water holding ability. I use puppy pads for when my dog won't go outside, he has an insane fear of the sound of rain and cannot go outside when it rains, so he has papers in the hall bathroom which has a tile floor, they work great. I can pick them up and nothing runs off.
 
Maybe that material they put in motionless waterbeds?
 
Evo said:
I can pick them up and nothing runs off.
So basically they just have a lot of surface area to capture the water and hold it in there rather than absorb it like a diaper?
 
  • #10
duhuhu said:
So basically they just have a lot of surface area to capture the water and hold it in there rather than absorb it like a diaper?
Yes, oh, no. Haartz is the brand I use. "Won't spread, won't leak" Flash dry technology. Instantly turns urine into gel.

Here are the different types they make.

http://www.hartz.com/Hartz_Products/Dog_Products/Dog_Pads.aspx
 
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  • #11
Evo said:
Yes.
mkay, well I appreciate the info!
 
  • #12
duhuhu said:
mkay, well I appreciate the info!
I posted a link above.
 
  • #13
Evo said:
I posted a link above.
Most excelent! Thank you!
 
  • #14
duhuhu said:
Most excelent! Thank you!
You're very welcome, I hope they work out. Good luck on your project!
 
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  • #15
Wow. I had no idea about dog pads.
 
  • #16
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  • #17
When working for a USDA animal blood testing lab, we used something similar to these http://tritechforensics.com/store/product/liquid-absorbing-sheets/ .
 
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