Articles tagged with Gels
Researchers introduce a new strategy using natural wood as a structural scaffold for conductive eutectogels, enabling mechanically robust and environmentally stable materials. The resulting eutectogel achieves high tensile strength, toughness, and ionic conductivity, making it suitable for wearable electronics and smart sensing systems.
Researchers investigate poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel structure and function under mechanical forces and heat, revealing changes in electrical conductivity and internal structure. The study provides valuable insights for developing smart polymers and understanding their functional mechanisms.
Researchers developed a gel-like material that mimics the softness and microstructure of slow-twitch muscle tissue, successfully cultivating cells with genetic and metabolic traits of slow-twitch fibers. The technology has far-reaching implications for regenerative medicine, drug screening, and muscle transplantation therapies.
Using science for more animal welfare: Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have developed an alternative to foie gras by mimicking the structure of real foie gras. The new pâté closely mimics the mouthfeel and melt of traditional foie gras, thanks to a treatment process that restructures fat using goose lipases.
A team of researchers from Aalto University developed a hydrogel with a unique structure that combines high stiffness with flexibility and self-healing capabilities. The material uses exceptionally large and ultra-thin specific clay nanosheets, allowing it to self-heal via entanglement.
Researchers at Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery developed a rapid self-strengthening technology using weak azo bonds in double network hydrogels. This enables the material to rapidly form new polymer networks, increasing its strength upon deformation.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel gelation method using carbon dioxide to form hydrogels. The post-gelation release rate affects the degree of crosslinking and mechanical properties, providing insights for creating hydrogels suitable for medical applications.
A new hemostatic sponge developed by UCF researchers can stop severe bleeding in under a minute, while also acting as an antibacterial agent. The liquid gel transforms into a spongelike foam upon exposure to the wound, applying pressure to restrict hemorrhage and promoting natural clotting.
A new type of gel developed by MLU chemists improves the safety and service life of lithium-ion batteries. Initial lab studies show that it also enhances battery performance, remaining stable at over five volts.
Researchers created a virtual game environment and connected it to hydrogels, which improved their accuracy over time. The hydrogels used 'memory' to learn from previous patterns and improve their gameplay, with an improvement rate of up to 10%.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a water-enhancing gel that lasts longer and is significantly more effective than existing commercial gels. The new gel creates a silica-based aerogel shield that protects structures from heat and flames, offering enhanced and long-lasting wildfire protection.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology have developed a gel electrolyte-based battery that significantly reduces gas generation during charging and discharging processes. The new technology maintains its capacity even after 200 cycles, demonstrating enhanced safety and durability.
Researchers developed a gel electret capable of stably retaining electrostatic charge and combining it with flexible electrodes to create a vibration sensor. The device achieves an 83% increase in output voltage compared to previous alkyl–π liquid electret-based sensors, enabling potential use as wearable healthcare sensors.
Glassy gels are a new class of materials that combine the properties of glassy polymers and gels, with unique characteristics including high elasticity and adhesive surfaces. The materials were created by mixing liquid precursors with an ionic liquid, resulting in a hard yet stretchable material.
Entomopathogenic nematodes can parasitize and kill fall armyworms without environmental risks. The nematode gel technology, developed by Patrick Fallet and colleagues, outperforms commercial formulations and yields significant yield increases in Africa and Asia.
Researchers at MIT developed GastroShield, a sprayable gel that prevents bleeding and leakage from weakened gastrointestinal tissues during endoscopic procedures. The gel forms a protective layer that reinforces tissue integrity and promotes healing.
Scientists create a mixture of sticky and non-sticky grains to achieve stronger, tougher materials that can deform without cracking. The optimal ratio of sticky grains is found to be around 60%, which balances strength and toughness, making it ideal for designing composite materials with functional properties.
Researchers have developed a promising new solar-powered technology to harvest water from air, capable of increasing daily water supply needs in dryland areas. The system uses a super hygroscopic gel to absorb and retain large amounts of water, with the potential for large-scale practical applications.
Researchers developed an adhesive gel to seal and heal challenging gastrointestinal tract-to-skin connections, showing promising results in studies. The gel's unique composition ensures it can effectively seal fistulas, preventing further complications and aiding in healing.
Researchers from Kumamoto University developed a zero-waste process to synthesize hydrogels containing tannic acid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, resulting in highly stretchable and self-healing materials. These supramolecular materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties and potential eco-friendly applications.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have created plant protein microgels that transform dry plant proteins into hydrated ones, mimicking the sensation of fat. The breakthrough could lead to the development of healthier, palatable, and sustainable plant-based foods.
Scientists have developed a metallic gel that allows for highly conductive 3D printing at room temperature. The gel, which is 97.5% metal, enables the creation of electronic components and devices with unprecedented conductivity.
Researchers at MIT have developed a superabsorbent material that can soak up record amounts of moisture from the air, even in dry conditions. The material is made by infusing hydrogel with lithium chloride and has shown to absorb and retain unprecedented amounts of water vapor.
Researchers achieve 3D printing within mini-organs growing in hydrogels, allowing for precise control over shape, activity, and tissue growth. This breakthrough enables the creation of realistic models of organs and disease, with potential applications in cancer research and treatment.
Researchers developed a 'dip-and-peel' strategy to create flexible gel films with high conductivity, inspired by the milk-skin effect. These gels have potential applications in wearable electronics and solid-state batteries.
Researchers developed a mechanically tough gel electrolyte to protect lithium metal anodes, significantly improving cycling stability. The achievement may facilitate practical use of high-performance lithium metal anodes in batteries.
Scientists have discovered a universal method to bond soft materials together using electricity, eliminating the need for traditional adhesives. The new technique, called electroadhesion, uses oppositely charged materials to form strong bonds that can withstand gravity and last for years.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a soft material with metal-like conductivity and self-healing properties that can support digital electronics and motors. The material has been demonstrated in various applications, including powering motors and enabling reconfigurable circuits.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new solar absorber gel technology that can filter pollutants from water, producing almost fourfold more filtration rate than its predecessor. The device can provide enough clean water to meet daily demand in many parts of the world.
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation developed a contact lens prototype that facilitates tear flow in response to normal eye blinking, relieving CLIDE symptoms. The lenses, with microchannels and square cross-sections, can guide tear flow and combat dry eye syndrome.
Scientists create a temperature-compensated biological clock using Belousov–Zhabotinsky gels, which retain their oscillation period despite temperature changes. This innovation mimics the natural property of circadian rhythms, offering a new approach to artificial biological clocks.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a hybrid hydrogel combining natural squid tissues with synthetic polymers, exhibiting hierarchical anisotropy and toughness.
Scientists have created a multinetwork polymer that exhibits sensitivity to mechanical forces triggered by solvent swelling, leading to a notable color change. This innovation sheds light on the process of swelling in polymer networks and paves the way for designing stimuli-responsive materials.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a new gel-based robot that can crawl through the air and on surfaces using only temperature changes, paving the way for human-like robots and biomedical applications. The 'gelbots' could be used to deliver targeted medicines or patrol ocean surfaces.
The new system consists of two gels with different properties that respond homeostatically to environmental changes. Researchers have created a feedback loop using lasers and mirrors, allowing the system to regulate its temperature in response to external stimuli.
A research team has developed a method to easily synthesize a self-healing polymer gel made of ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polymers and non-volatile ionic liquids. The gel exhibits superior mechanical properties, high self-healing capabilities, and can be recycled via thermal processing.
Scientists explore the dynamics of soft materials like toothpaste and hair gel using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The technique reveals microscopic dynamics and helps understand properties like viscosity and elasticity. Insights gained can aid in designing consumer products, nanotechnologies, and drug delivery systems.
A new study led by NYU researchers has developed a topical gel that targets the succinate receptor to suppress inflammation, reduce bacterial imbalance, and prevent bone loss. The treatment has shown promise in reducing gum disease symptoms, including inflammation and tooth loss.
Researchers evaluated 35 commercial breast biopsy markers for ultrasound color Doppler twinkling, finding that three markers exhibited actionable twinkling for ≥2 transducers. Higher surface roughness was associated with actionable twinkling in C1-6 and 9L transducers.
Researchers have identified proteins that form gel-like filaments to protect cells from mechanical stress during dehydration. These findings could lead to improvements in preserving cell materials and biomolecules in a dry state.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to create a three-dimensional gel from spider silk proteins that can be designed to deliver functional proteins. The gel has the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine, enabling controlled drug release and tissue engineering applications.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, spongy electrode made from a sugar cube template, offering improved signal detection and reduced noise. The device's micropores provide increased contact area with the skin, enabling it to monitor uterine contractions and other health issues with high quality.
The new ultrasound sticker uses a stretchy adhesive layer and rigid array of transducers to produce higher resolution images over a longer duration. It has potential applications in clinical diagnosis and could be made into wearable imaging products that patients can take home or buy at a pharmacy.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology accidentally discovered that adding more water to a liquid solution turns it back into a gel, and then further dilution forms another gel. The team's findings have significant implications for various fields in chemistry and biology.
Researchers created a new gel that can protect fragile objects like eggs by adding starch to gelatin, reducing impact force up to 15%. The gel's flexibility and impact absorption make it suitable for sports equipment, defense materials, and packaging.
Researchers have developed luminescent gels inspired by nature, offering potential applications in bank note counterfeiting and next-gen bio-sensing. The gels utilize lanthanide ions for unique properties, including self-healing and variable emission intensities.
A small study found that an experimental hydrogel injection into spinal discs significantly reduced chronic low back pain and improved physical function. The gel, known as Hydrafil, is easy to administer with no open surgery required, offering a promising treatment for degenerative disc disease.
Researchers created oil-based gels that can deliver a variety of medications, including those for infectious diseases, in a stable and palatable form. The gels can be used to administer drugs to children and adults with difficulty swallowing pills, and could have a significant impact on improving medication adherence.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT designed an oil-based gel system, oleogel, to deliver medications to children with swallowing difficulties. The system has been shown to be compatible with most drugs and can facilitate drug uptake at levels comparable to solid tablets.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a low-cost gel film that can pull water from the air in dry climates, producing up to 6 liters of water per day. The film uses renewable cellulose and konjac gum, making it an affordable solution for communities struggling with water shortages.
Researchers have successfully stored liquid fuels like ethanol in polymeric gels, drastically reducing evaporation rates and flammable gas mixtures. The development of this method aims to create safer work environments in industries that use liquid fuels.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that falling beds of sand and melting gelatin exhibit similar destabilization behavior, characterized by fingering instabilities and fluidized interface regions. This study provides insights into the macroscopic physical behavior of granular materials and gels under gravity.
Researchers developed a gel that temporarily houses cytokines and CAR-T cells near tumors, enhancing their attack power. The gel enables continuous release of activated CAR-T cells, effectively treating solid tumors.
A new biodegradable gel has been developed to improve the immune system's ability to combat cancer. The gel releases drugs and special antibodies that target tumor cells, slowing their growth and increasing the lifespan of mice. This breakthrough could lead to new clinical trials for human patients in the coming years.
A novel 'double lock' system uses thermoresponsive polymer hydrogels to encrypt information, readable only at specific temperature and time windows. The system combines physical methods for decoding, increasing security while maintaining simplicity.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a new theory that allows for precise prediction of soft material failure. The breakthrough has major implications for polymer engineering and manufacturing, enabling the design of more efficient products.
A team of researchers has designed a compound with 'wings' that makes polymers change color when stressed, allowing for the detection of stress before breakage. The new probe is more accurate in detecting mechanical stresses in both polymer gels and films, paving the way for tougher gel materials and nanoscale tension probes.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin created a new nanocrystal gel that can be easily tuned to work as an optical filter, controlling heating or cooling dynamically. This versatile material has applications for thermal camouflage in defense and telecommunications.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a tuneable, elastic and temperature-sensitive gel by using complementary DNA strands to connect star-shaped polymer molecules together. The gel exhibits predictable behavior, self-healing properties and durability suitable for medical and engineering applications.
Researchers have developed a protein-based gel that can deliver anti-inflammatory growth factor progranulin to affected joints, halting post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) onset and progression. The study found that the gel provides prolonged release of progranulin and inhibits chondrocyte catabolism.