unimpregnated

Unimpregnated refers to a state of not being filled or permeated with a substance. In a biological context, unimpregnated is most commonly used to describe a female animal or human who has not conceived or become pregnant. This can be a natural state or the result of medical intervention. It implies the absence of fertilization of an egg or the implantation of an embryo.

The term can also be applied in material science. For instance, an unimpregnated fabric or porous material has not had its pores or structure filled with another substance, such as resin, adhesive, or a liquid. This lack of impregnation means the material retains its original porosity and potentially its original properties, which might be desirable for certain applications where absorption or breathability is key. Conversely, impregnation is the process of filling these spaces, which often alters the material's strength, rigidity, or chemical resistance. Therefore, unimpregnated materials are those that have not undergone this filling process.