Articles tagged with Hydrogels
A physicist at TU Graz has developed a three-in-one hybrid material that reacts to force, moisture and temperature with high spatial resolution. The smart skin has potential applications in robotics, smart prosthetics and healthcare, and its production can be easily scaled and implemented.
Researchers at UBC create ionic skins made of flexible hydrogels that use ions to carry an electrical charge. These hydrogels can generate voltages when touched, producing a piezoionic effect that allows them to detect pressure and other stimuli. The technology has potential applications in prosthetics, wearable sensors, and body impla...
University of Virginia professor Rachel Letteri's lab designs polymers for healthcare applications, using peptide fragments to create hydrogels with tunable stiffness and lifespan. The team aims to develop materials that can support cell growth and guide tissue regeneration, with potential applications in regenerative medicine.
Scientists at Wuhan University developed a non-contact optical characterization method to detect negative water pressure in microfluidic systems. By analyzing the deformation of hydrogel surfaces, they derived the exact value of negative pressure. This innovation has potential applications in mapping dynamic flow and heat transfer.
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered that curcumin promotes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, helping to grow engineered blood vessels and tissues. The study uses magnetic hydrogels coated with curcumin-coated nanoparticles, which gradually release the compound without injuring cells.
Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have created a new family of environmentally safe, frost-resistant coatings that can delay the formation of frost for extended hours. These coatings can be applied to various surfaces without preconditioning or expensive surface treatments, reducing pollution and ice-related problems.
Researchers from NUS developed a novel super-hygroscopic material to enhance sweat evaporation and reduce heat stress in personal protective suits. The film brings down the heat index by about 40%, significantly improving thermal comfort for users like healthcare workers.
Scientists in Saudi Arabia developed a solar-driven system that uses hydrogel to condense water from air while generating electricity. The system successfully grew spinach in a hot climate, producing over 2 liters of water and 1,519 watt-hours of electricity.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel that can absorb and retain water when combined with a hygroscopic salt, extracting almost six liters of pure water per kilo of material in 24 hours. This technology could play a fundamental role in recovering atmospheric water in drought-stricken regions.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology created a 3D model of living brain cancer using cavitation molding technique. The model closely replicates human tissue and maintains cell viability, making it suitable for drug screening.
The BRIGHTER project develops a new 3D bioprinting technology that creates complex and accurate human tissues, reducing the need for animal models. The technology uses light-sheet lithography to fabricate human skin and other tissues with high resolution and accuracy.
Researchers create a sticky patch that can seal large tears and punctures in the colon, stomach, and intestines of animal models without causing inflammation or sticking to surrounding tissues. The patch is designed to be biocompatible, flexible, and holds for over a month.
Researchers used microscopic strands of DNA to guide the assembly of gel blocks that self-assembled in around 10-15 minutes. The process was highly specific and easily programmable, allowing the blocks to interact with each other in different ways by changing the sequence of DNA.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University have developed a novel therapeutic approach to tackle obesity, reducing body fat and improving blood markers through a hydrogel injection and near infrared light treatment. The treatment shows significant promise in lab trials, with mice experiencing reduced body mass and improved metabolism.
Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry have observed the coil-to-globule transition in hydrogels for the first time, showing how temperature changes trigger a sudden collapse of polymer chains. This discovery has implications for smart materials and their applications in fields like medicine and engineering.
Researchers use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) to track injected collagen in the heart. The technique allows for precise detection of therapeutic peptides and their distribution in the myocardial infarct.
A new wearable sensor has been developed using MXene nanomaterials that can detect changes in pH levels in sweat, which correlate with muscle fatigue. The device measures electrical resistance patterns in response to mechanical stress and pH changes.
Researchers developed an injectable, adhesive surgical gel that prevents postoperative adhesions and improves wound healing. The gel, dubbed HAD, was tested in rats and rabbits with promising results, showing a significant reduction in inflammation and mortality rates.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel polymer-based hydrogel that can prevent postoperative pancreatic fistulae, a frequent complication of pancreatic surgery. The Exceval hydrogel shows great promise for clinical applications due to its adjustable properties and high absorption abilities.
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
A simple change in the way donor cells are processed can maximize a single cell's production of extracellular vesicles, which are small nanoparticles naturally secreted by cells. The finding offers new avenues for research around cellular therapies, where transplanted cells are used to help the body heal or work better.
A team at the University of Cambridge created a jelly-like material that can withstand compression forces equivalent to an elephant, while maintaining its original shape. The material's properties are seemingly contradictory, but can be controlled through changing the chemical structure of guest molecules.
A new hydrogel treatment kills drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, and induces the expression of naturally-existing antimicrobial peptides in human skin cells. The gel is non-toxic, biodegradable, and scalable.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin created hydrogel tablet that can rapidly purify contaminated water, making it suitable for drinking in an hour or less. The tablets generate hydrogen peroxide to neutralize bacteria with an efficiency rate of over 99.999%, requiring zero energy input and no harmful byproducts.
Researchers developed avidin-conjugated nanocellulose, enabling attachment of biotinylated molecules and promoting 3D cell culture. The material supports efficient integrin signaling and high cell viability, indicating its suitability for applications like cell differentiation and tissue engineering.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) has developed a Fluid-supported Liquid Interface Polymerization (FLIP) 3D printer that can rapidly print hydrogel structures with complex geometry. This approach addresses the key nutrient supply issue in bioprinting, enabling the rapid fabrication of complex geometrical shapes.
A team of scientists at McGill University has invented a smart device for personalized skin care inspired by the male diving beetle. The device collects and monitors body fluids while sticking to the skin's surface, paving the way for more accurate diagnostics and treatment for skin diseases like acne.
Researchers from Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation develop methods to enhance mechanical properties of hydrogels, including toughness, stretchiness, and adhesive strength. By introducing dopamine and alkaline conditions, they create gel-like materials with improved biocompatibility and regenerative capabilities.
Scientists create a cell culture system where blood vessels can grow within a framework made of synthetic materials. The team investigates material properties that promote blood vessel formation and refines the model to improve its performance, paving the way for growing implantable tissues.
Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine researchers have developed a new model for studying intestinal infections, using custom hydrogel-based platforms. The study found that softer hydrogels promote bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics of infectious diseases.
A new study develops hydrogels that release glucagon as glucose levels drop, potentially preventing severe hypoglycemic episodes. The technology aims to stabilize blood glucose levels long enough for parents to get medical attention in emergency situations.
Scientists developed a hydrogel composite with zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks that rapidly breaks down organophosphate-based nerve agents. The composite shows high catalytic activity and maintains its effectiveness even after storage.
A KAIST research team developed a hydrogel-based flexible brain-machine interface that can detect neural signals for up to six months. The device minimizes foreign body responses by mimicking the properties of surrounding tissues when exposed to body fluids.
A team of researchers has developed micro-actuators that use internal changes as a trigger for signal-based movement, paving the way for new applications in soft robotics, microscale sensing, and bioengineering. The devices, powered by chemical reactions, can be programmed to perform different modes of mechanical work.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering developed stimuli-responsive coiled-coil fibrous hydrogels that can be triggered by temperature, pH, or light. These smart biomaterials have potential for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing applications.
Researchers developed a bio-inspired hydrogel to prevent post-operative adhesions in the heart, with promising results in rats and pigs. The hydrogel creates a protective barrier while allowing for movement and is designed to be easily removable and dissolveable.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a novel crystal that allows hydrogels to rapidly recover from mechanical stress, making them suitable for medical applications. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for sports injuries and joint pain.
Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for extracellular matrices, become diseased in fibrosis. Researchers create 3D hydrogels that mimic living tissue to study fibrosis progression and epigenetic responses.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new class of hydrogels that can be controlled by light, enabling precise drug delivery and regenerative medicine treatments. The hydrogels are responsive to near-infrared (NIR) light, which has a higher penetration depth than other light sources, allowing for more effective therapy.
North Carolina State University researchers have created a new type of 3D-printable gel called homocomposite hydrogel, composed of alginates found in seaweed. The gel has remarkable strength and flexibility, making it suitable for biomedical applications such as growing cells and wound dressings.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new hydrogel material that prevents infections in wounds, effective against all types of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. The material uses antimicrobial peptides and is promising for combating global health threats.
A new treatment method for cerebral aneurysms uses a biocompatible embolization material that fills the aneurysm at high rates and maintains structural stability. The innovative material exhibits excellent biocompatibility and can safely prevent rupture, reducing financial burden and risks associated with current coil embolization.
Scientists have developed a novel artificial color-changing material that can detect seafood freshness by changing color in response to amine vapors released by microbes as fish spoils. The material has the potential to be used in various applications, including stretchable electronics and dynamic camouflaging robots.
The Politecnico di Torino team creates hydrogels with complex architectures and self-healing properties using 3D printing activated by light. This breakthrough enables the production of highly complex devices with unique features, paving the way for innovative applications in regenerative medicine and soft-robotics.
A new hydrogel-based material has been developed that mimics the structure of a lobster's underbelly, exhibiting remarkable fatigue-resistance and stretch properties. The material's angled architecture is thought to hinder crack propagation, allowing it to withstand repeated stretches and strains without tearing.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a sustainable technique for producing hydrogel composites to remove pollutants from water. The hydrogels, made from plant cellulose and graphene oxide-like carbon dots, can effectively remove heavy metals, dyes, and other contaminants.
Researchers developed a nanostructured fluid that slowly releases cleaning agents to remove over-paintings on street art without damaging the underlying layer. The technique, which uses low-toxicity solvents and biodegradable surfactants, has been tested successfully on laboratory mockups and real pieces of street art.
Scientists have developed novel multi-stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems using hydrogels that can release drugs in response to temperature, pH, and reducing conditions. The hydrogels can control the amount of drug loaded onto them, ensuring effective delivery to target tumor sites.
Researchers develop a new bioprinting process using ultrashort peptides, overcoming challenges in cell survival and creating complex scaffolds that facilitate long-term cell growth. The technology enables the creation of tissue models for high-throughput drug screening and diagnosis.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique for imaging biological samples with accuracy of 10 nanometers using an ordinary light microscope. The new hydrogel-based approach improves upon previous versions, enabling high-resolution images without expensive equipment.
A soft robotic dragonfly, called DraBot, uses microarchitectures and self-healing hydrogels to detect changes in pH, temperature, and oil levels. This proof-of-concept demonstration could lead to the development of autonomous environmental sentinels for monitoring environmental disruptions.
Researchers developed an antibacterial gel bandage using durian husk, which works even at freezing temperatures and contains natural antimicrobial compounds derived from yeast. The organic gel is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has a smaller environmental footprint than conventional synthetic bandages.
An interdisciplinary research team at Kiel University has produced a highly conductive hydrogel that retains its elasticity, suitable for medical implants. The innovative production method uses graphene to achieve high electrical conductivity while maintaining the original mechanical properties.
A unique Ag-hydrogel composite offers high electrical conductivity while maintaining soft compliance and deformability. The composite has applications in wearable electronics, brain sensors, and treating muscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
A team from Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation developed soft pressure sensors using OECTs and ionic hydrogels, enabling high sensitivity and low power consumption. This advancement facilitates long-term monitoring of patients with real-time data collection.
Researchers develop a less invasive way to deliver stem cell and exosome therapeutics to the heart by injecting hydrogels containing these therapeutics into the pericardial cavity, showing promising results in preclinical studies
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed new 4D hydrogels that can change shape in response to external trigger signals. These materials may help create tissues with more realistic architecture by simulating forces that drive movement during development, leading to improved tissue engineering outcomes.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a theoretical model to design soft materials that demonstrate autonomous oscillating properties, mimicking biological functions. The work could advance the design of responsive materials for therapeutics and robot-like soft materials.
Researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel that could help repair and prevent further damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack. The study found that timely injection of the hydrogel resulted in less fibrosis and an increase in new blood vessels, preserving cardiomyocytes and supporting functional recovery.