Articles tagged with Hydrogels
A specific protein forms gels in response to stress, which helps cells function and grow under challenging conditions. This gel-like structure is not a sign of damage but rather an adaptive response.
A new hydrogel has been developed that can be injected into a rabbit's eye as a liquid and gel within minutes to replace the clear gel-like substance. The hydrogel exhibits no significant swelling pressures or side effects, suggesting it is safe for potential use in humans.
Scientists at Hokkaido University have created 'fiber-reinforced soft composites' that combine the flexibility of hydrogels with the strength of glass fibers. These materials are 5 times tougher than carbon steel, making them suitable for various applications such as artificial ligaments and tendons.
Researchers at MIT have developed transparent hydrogel robots that can perform fast, forceful tasks, including catching and releasing a live fish. The robots are nearly invisible underwater due to their similar visual and acoustic properties to water.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a method to manufacture microscale-sized machines from biomaterials that can safely be implanted in the body. The technique uses hydrogels and stacks them in layers to create devices with three-dimensional, freely moving parts.
EPFL scientists have developed a patent-pending hydrogel that can grow organoids in a standardized and controlled way, overcoming current limitations. The breakthrough provides a fully controllable and tunable environment for growing miniature organs, shedding light on the influence of physical factors on stem cell behavior.
A new microfluidic method enables the encapsulation of individual cells within microgel capsules, reducing the size and increasing the specificity of control. This breakthrough has the potential to boost efficacy of cell-based therapies and tissue engineering by allowing for more precise targeting and survival of encapsulated cells.
A new regenerative scaffold made of collagen hydrogel and collagensponge stimulates periodontal tissue regeneration by retaining fibroblast growth factor-2, promoting cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone regeneration. The combination improves biodegradability and promotes true regeneration in beagle dogs.
Developed by MIT and Harvard Medical School, the fibers are made from hydrogel material that can stretch and bend like taffy. They can sense signs of disease and could be used to deliver therapeutic pulses of light, enabling long-lasting implantable medical devices.
Researchers have created a hydrogel-elastomer hybrid that can prevent barnacles from sticking to metal hulls, reducing fuel costs for the Navy. The material is soft, slippery, and retains moisture, providing a long-lasting solution to biofouling.
Washington State University researchers create a novel nanomaterial, an aerogel, to reduce the amount of precious metals required in fuel cells. This innovation speeds up production time and makes large-scale production more viable.
Scientists have developed injectable gels that can be injected into the heart to shore up weakened areas and prevent heart failure. The gels, made from hyaluronic acid, provide mechanical support and limit scar tissue formation, preserving the heart's size and blood-pumping ability.
A team of researchers created a highly stretchable touchpad made of hydrogel, enabling users to write words and play electronic games. The device was tested with users placing it on their arms, demonstrating its potential applications in wearable technology.
Cancer cells use oxygen gradients to navigate and spread through the body, according to a new study published in PNAS. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that cancer cells migrate from low-oxygen areas to higher oxygen concentrations, allowing them to reach blood vessels and metastasize.
A team of engineers has created a method to produce cartilage from strands of bioink using 3D printing. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of cartilage patches for worn-out joints, with potential applications in treating osteoarthritis.
Researchers at Rice University have created 'missing tooth' hydrogels that can trap and slowly release hydrophobic small-molecule drugs, making them ideal for targeted delivery. The biodegradable gel can be injected where needed and releases medication over time.
Researchers designed an equilibrium model to understand the factors that contribute to lens comfort, revealing the importance of suction pressure, radial tension, and hoop tension. The study aims to improve contact lens design and comfort, potentially leading to novel applications like drug administration and sensory enhancement.
The University of Akron researcher is designing a new class of tough double-network hydrogels with unique mechanical toughness and self-healing properties. These hydrogels can be used in various applications such as wastewater treatment, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new 3D printable material that mimics human tissue, allowing for the creation of tumor microenvironments to test anti-cancer drugs. This breakthrough enables rapid, personalized cancer treatment targeting tumors, not entire bodies.
TUM researchers are developing self-healing materials to repair cracks in concrete structures. They use bacteria, hydrogels, and epoxy resin to create a material that can close cracks and prevent water damage. The technology has shown promising results in laboratory tests and is being further developed for use in real-world applications.
Researchers have developed a method to halt stem cell growth using soft hydrogels that mimic the natural protective layer of mucus. This process, inspired by embryonic diapause in certain mammals, allows for easy storage and shipment of stem cells.
Researchers have developed a novel 4D printing method inspired by natural structures like plants, which respond and change their form over time. The new technique enables the creation of transformable architectures with precise, localized swelling behaviors.
Researchers at ETH Zurich are studying the Atlantic hagfish's remarkable slime to understand its structure, properties, and formation process. The slime, composed of protein threads and mucin, can immobilize vast amounts of water, making it a potential inspiration for creating novel super hydrogels with numerous applications.
Researchers developed a process to create a water-loving polymer with structure, opening up possibilities for artificial blood vessels and soft tissue-like mechanical properties. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of balancing hydrogel's water-loving nature with the need for crystallinity.
Researchers have developed a novel microencapsulation method using seaweed-derived hydrogel to protect pancreatic islets from ice damage during transplantation. The technique facilitates real-time cell viability assessments and reduces the need for cryoprotectants, promoting a more effective and safer treatment approach.
Researchers created a mechanically durable hydrogel using an elastic silk-like protein called aneroin, which has improved mechanical properties compared to collagen and silkworm silk. The aneroin hydrogel provided an adequate environment for cell growth, proliferating mammalian cells with healthy morphology.
Researchers at MIT have developed a stretchy hydrogel material that can incorporate temperature sensors, LED lights, and drug-delivering reservoirs. The hydrogel can sense changes in skin temperature and release medicine as needed, making it a potential treatment for burns or other skin conditions.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a self-healing gel that repairs and connects electronic circuits without external stimuli. The gel has high conductivity, strong mechanical and electrical self-healing properties, and can be used as a soft joint to join circuit parts.
Engineers at MIT developed a synthetic hydrogel that is 90 percent water and has a toughness comparable to the bond between tendon and cartilage on bone. The hydrogel can adhere to surfaces like glass, silicon, and metal with high durability, making it suitable for protective coatings and biomedical devices.
A new peptide-based hydrogel has been developed by University of Delaware researchers to facilitate microsurgery. The hydrogel can be tuned with a specific amino acid to change form several times during a procedure, allowing precise control and reducing damage to tiny blood vessels.
Researchers identify reversible phase transitions in FUS protein, leading to aggregation and trapping of other proteins. Disrupting these assemblies can rescue impaired motility and prolong lifespan in ALS models.
A team of researchers from SISSA investigated the mechanism behind biological tissues' resistance to external strain, discovering that cracks appear in multiple places rather than one. This study aims to create artificial materials with similar features for biomedical applications.
Rice University scientists have developed a nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom that can stop bleeding within seconds, even in the presence of anti-coagulants. The material, called SB50, has great potential to treat surgical bleeding in patients taking heparin or other anti-coagulant drugs.
Scientists have developed a new hydrogel coating that can neutralize both mustard gas and nerve agent VX in under 20 minutes. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of protective clothing and paints that safeguard against chemical warfare agents.
Tufts University researchers developed a new method to create high-resolution, 3D structures in silk protein hydrogels using low-energy ultrafast laser technology. The technique allows for scalable patterning of pores and channels with diameters between 10 and 400 microns.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new method for identifying pathogens using spectroscopy and protein hydrogels. This technique allows for rapid detection and identification of specific pathogens, enabling targeted antibiotic treatment and reducing the risk of misdiagnosis. The broader implications of this wo...
Researchers have created a unique antenna that collects unused blue photons from sunlight, converting them into usable energy for silicon-based solar cells. This innovation has the potential to significantly increase solar cell efficiency, making them more affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Researchers develop a targeted hydrogel that binds to inflamed tissue, releasing medicine slowly over time. The gel reduces inflammation and minimizes systemic side effects in preclinical models of IBD.
Researchers at NYU Engineering have developed protein-engineered hydrogels that can replicate biochemical processes found in nature. These biomimetic materials could be used for wound healing and sensing applications.
A team of scientists from RIKEN has developed a new hydrogel that can stretch and contract in response to temperature changes without absorbing or excreting water. The material's unique property allows it to change shape rapidly and efficiently, making it suitable for practical applications such as artificial muscles.
A new microchip design captures circulating tumor cells for serial analysis, while a 3D hydrogel scaffold enables retrieval and in vitro growth promotion. The technology also facilitates xenograft models in immunodeficient mice, offering a promising approach to personalized cancer therapies.
A polymer hydrogel material alters capillary forces, creating a 'stick-slip' control of water entry into microtubes. This enables precise control of fluid flow and could enable applications such as controlled drug release and precise reaction timing.
Duke University researchers created a method to enhance tumor-frying nanoparticles with chemotherapeutic coatings, releasing drugs in heated tissue. The technique combines photothermal therapy with localized drug delivery, potentially increasing effectiveness.
A team of bioengineers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a new protein-based gel that mimics the properties of elastic tissue when exposed to light. The gel can be controlled in its swelling and strength, making it suitable for various applications such as regenerating cells or creating a barrier over wounds.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed two novel methods to characterize 3-dimensional macroporous hydrogels, a promising material for creating responsive catalysts and tissue engineering scaffolds. The team successfully visualized the reversible porous structure within these materials using noninvasive X-ray microscopy.
A team of researchers has developed a hydrogel that can protect sensitive catalysts from oxygen-caused damage, making it possible to create efficient and affordable hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogel acts as both solvent and protective environment, allowing the catalysts to remain functional even in high-oxygen concentrations.
Researchers developed a gel filled with toxin-absorbing nanosponges that effectively treat skin and wound infections caused by MRSA without using antibiotics. The treatment keeps bacterial toxins under control, allowing the immune system to kill the bacteria more easily.
Scientists at University of Toronto have made breakthroughs in cell transplantation using hydrogel biomaterials, showing potential for partially restoring vision and aiding brain recovery from stroke. The new gel-like material boosts cell survival and integration in the eye and brain, paving the way for stem-cell-based therapies.
A novel, truly biocompatible alginate hydrogel has been developed using 'click chemistry' that can be synthesized quickly and reliably. The gel is designed to release drugs or cells in a controlled manner, making it suitable for applications such as wound healing and tumor treatment.
Rice University and Texas Children's Hospital scientists successfully used amniotic stem cells to promote blood vessel growth in hydrogels, enhancing tissue repair for infants with birth defects. The study paves the way for biocompatible patches for congenital heart defects.
Researchers have developed new 3D designs for reconstructing damaged neural tissue using stem cells grown on nanofiber scaffolding within a supportive hydrogel. The approach guides neural connections, acting like a roadmap for cell growth and function.
Researchers have developed a method to embed patterned nanofibers in 3D hydrogel structures, guiding neurite outgrowth along the nanofibers. This technique enhances neurite length and can be used to replicate complex neural structures, offering potential for restoring damaged cells in the nervous system.
Scientists have developed a new shape-shifting probe that can detect and measure localized conditions on the molecular scale deep within tissues. The device, called geometrically encoded magnetic sensors (GEMs), uses radio frequency signals to identify changes in resonance frequencies caused by shape-changing agents.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel method capable of mimicking Nature's ability to sort, capture, transport and release molecules. This technique sets the stage for continuous and efficient manipulation of a range of molecules relevant to human and environmental health.
Researchers found that hydrogels saturated with thiamethoxam dissolved in sugar water reduced the Argentine ant population by 94% in two weeks. The use of hydrogel baits offers an inexpensive, easy-to-apply alternative to traditional pesticides, reducing environmental costs and selectively targeting invasive ants.
A team of scientists has developed flexible, microscopic hand-like grippers that can perform remotely guided surgical procedures and biopsies. The microhands use hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles to provide energy and control, enabling the creation of biodegradable, miniaturized surgical tools.
Researchers have created a new hydrogel that can be injected into wounds, forming scaffolds that help them heal quickly. The material promotes angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels, which is essential for tissue repair and reduces the risk of complications.
Researchers develop new hydrogel with electrostatic repulsion properties, inspired by articular cartilage and maglev trains. The material easily deforms under shear forces but resists compressive forces.
Researchers developed a new continuous glucose monitoring material that changes color as glucose levels fluctuate, offering higher sensitivity and precision than current point measurements. The color-changing material is simple, low-cost to manufacture, and can be used for short-term monitoring of patients in intensive care units.
A thermosensitive collagen hydrogel was used as an extracellular matrix to construct tissue-engineered peripheral nerve composites in vitro. The results showed that seeded cells maintained larger numbers and were well-distributed throughout the material, improving the construction of tissue-engineered peripheral nerves.