Inert Filler for Water Soluble or Dispersible Films 

We are searching for an inert filler material that is water soluble or water dispersible. It is to be used in the formulation of water soluble/dispersible films. The filler material will take up space left by the removal of active ingredients as product formulations change.

This is an Ideation Challenge so your creativity and experience qualify you to participate in this challenge. Submissions are not length limited, but normally good Ideation submissions are 3-5 pages in total length.

Background & Impact Statement

We are searching for an inert filler material that is water soluble or water dispersible. It is to be used in the formulation of water soluble/dispersible films. The filler material will take up space left by the removal of active ingredients as product formulations change.

The product context is a water soluble or dispersible film containing an encapsulated active ingredient. This film is made via a solution casting process.

Dispersible is defined as the separation of the particles of the filler material when added to water such that the resulting individual particles do not exceed 30 microns. These particles can be insoluble in water as long as they are not > 30 microns after dispersing in the water.

An inert water soluble or water dispersible material is needed as a filler material for the film containing an active ingredient. This is because as we become more efficient in our formulations the amount of active ingredients goes down to get the same performance. If some of the ingredients are simply removed, it changes the weight percent ratio in the formulation which affects the quality, performance, and processing of the film. The filler material would take up the space of the removed active ingredients to maintain the correct weight ratios.

The filler material needs to be water soluble/dispersible from 8 – 40 C, and at a PH range of 6-9. It also must be compatible with normal film forming materials such as Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), starches, cellulosics, etc. and be commercially available in bulk quantities. This material must not bind water so that drying of the solution during processing is not impacted by the inclusion of this material.

Things to avoid:

1. The following table lists materials that have been attempted to date.
   
   These failed either because of compatibility issues or because the material binds water which interferes with the film drying.
2. The Seeker is not looking for a review article on water soluble/dispersible materials. Just making a list of everything available would not be helpful. Your recommendations should be specific. You should convince the Seeker that this is the material they should be using because it meets all of the requirements.

Any proposal should address the following Technical Guidelines.

1. The material should be water soluble or water dispersible at a temperature range from 8 – 40 C and a pH range from 6 - 9. Once in the film form, and added to water, the film must readily dissolve or disperse in water under these conditions. If the material is dispersible, it must disperse to a particle size of < 30 microns.
2. The material must be compatible with water soluble film forming materials such as polyvinyl alcohol, starches, cellulosics, etc.
3. The material should not bind water such that it prevents the drying of the film.
4. The material must be commercially available in bulk quantities.
5. The Seeker would prefer the cost to be < $2/ kg, but this is not an absolute requirement.
6. Any material must be freely available and its use not restricted by patents.

We are searching for an inert filler material that is water soluble or water dispersible. It is to be used in the formulation of water soluble/dispersible films. The filler material will take up space left by the removal of active ingredients as product formulations change.

This requires a written proposal.

The proposal should include the following:

1. Detailed description of the proposed material.
2. Rationale as to why the material can meet the technical requirements above.
3. Suppliers where the material might be obtained.
4. Material costs if they are available.

Submissions are not length limited, but normally good Ideation submissions are 3-5 pages in total length.

Your proposal should not include:

• Personal identifying information (name, username, company name, address, phone, email, personal website, resume, etc.)
• Proprietary information you do not wish to make public

After the deadline, the Seeker will evaluate all submissions received and determine the best proposal(s) for the award(s). The Seeker will not provide technical feedback for proposals that are not selected. You will be notified of the outcome of your submission.

• There is a guaranteed award. The awards will be paid to the best submission(s), which are solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $8,000 USD. The award may be split at the Seekers discretion, but one award will be at least $5,000 and no award will be less than $1000 USD.

You are required to give the Seeker a free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to practice any idea submitted for this Challenge.