Articles tagged with Gels
Researchers have developed a combination of materials that can morph into various shapes before hardening, similar to the natural process of bone development in the human skeleton. The soft material can be used to create microrobots that can inject themselves into complicated bone fractures and expand to form new bone.
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.
Researchers from Japan have developed a new method to synthesize a pure Si-CHA membrane showing much higher CO2 separation performance than existing membranes. The key to this achievement is using a porous silica substrate instead of alumina, eliminating problems with pore size reduction and improving efficiency.
Researchers have pushed the limit of when water will freeze to -44 C by using soft interfaces like gels or lipids. This discovery has significant implications for climate prediction, cloud conditions, cryopreservation of organs, and technologies exposed to icing conditions.
Researchers developed a method to print skin equivalents with three layers, allowing for complex structures and faster healing. The technique uses suspended layer additive manufacturing and has shown promising results in repairing pig tissue.
Researchers at Lehigh University are working on a project funded by the Good Food Institute grant to adapt human tissue engineering techniques for growing meat in the lab. The team is developing a scaffold for meat cells to grow on and using electrochemistry, nanomaterial design, and liposomal delivery vehicles to promote fibrous growth.
Researchers have created reconstructable uterus-derived materials (RUMs) to aid in the recovery of damaged uteruses. The materials, which can be formed into different states and shapes, prevent intrauterine adhesion and promote angiogenesis, endometrial regeneration, and muscle collagen rebuilding.
Researchers have developed plant-based gummy candies packed with vitamins B12 and D3, addressing nutritional deficiencies in vegan and vegetarian diets. The new product was well-received by taste testers, paving the way for more nutritious food options.
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 discovered that volcanic aggregate and chemical interactions strengthen Caecilia Metella's tomb, exceeding male contemporaries' monuments. The study, published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, shows how leucite crystals dissolve over time to remodel concrete cohesion.
Researchers developed gel drops from four amino acid peptides that support cell growth and induce blood vessel formation. The microgels were successfully used to grow endothelial cells on their surfaces, which then extended into tubular blood vessels.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a novel method for rapid repair of peripheral nerve injuries using nerve guidance conduits filled with engineered aligned collagen gels and NGF-coated magnetic particles. This technique has shown improved axon growth and functional motor restoration in rats with peripheral nerve injury,...
Research on brainless slime molds reveals that Physarum polycephalum uses its body to sense mechanical cues in its environment, performing computations similar to thinking. The organism grows toward the greater mass without physically exploring the area, and makes decisions based on relative patterns of strain it detects.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have created a novel process for 3D printing inks that can be activated by heat and moisture, allowing for the creation of complex objects with varying mechanical strengths. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of 3D printing by enabling the creation of single-ink solutions for...
Researchers developed a new dietary fiber formulation that modulates the gut microbiome, improving potency of immunotherapies against cancer. The inulin gel doubled the rate of tumor eradication in rodents with colon carcinoma and melanoma, expanding beneficial microbes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Researchers from Mainz University and Fraunhofer Institute collaborate with Iranian and Iraqi partners to provide drinking water to settlements on the Persian Gulf. The goal is to use temperature-sensitive polymer gels to convert seawater into drinking water, enabling an energy-independent process.
Scientists have created a molecular switching circuit made of DNA that can change the shape of soft matter based on pH levels. The DNA switches react differently with their surroundings, allowing for potential applications in soft robotics and logical function networks.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute are developing a cost-effective method for harvesting water from atmospheric air using silica gel beads. This approach can capture water vapor molecules at low humidity levels, making it a promising solution for communities with limited access to clean water.
Researchers at the University of York developed a gel that adheres to nasal tissue, delivering levodopa directly to the brain. This innovation improves drug effectiveness and reduces dosage needs, potentially benefiting patients with Parkinson's disease.
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 have developed biofabricated muscle substitutes that can restore significantly injured skeletal muscles with unprecedented efficiency. These biocompatible gel-like structures mimic the native muscle structure and can be created using 3D bioprinting, allowing for faster and more effective recovery from severe muscle mass loss.
Researchers have proposed a new microscopic theory of polymer gel collapse, shedding light on the dramatic reduction in volume of zwitterionic hydrogels when cooled. The theory explains the role of electrostatic interactions between polymer units in leading to gel collapse, and identifies key parameters that influence this transition.
The Infusion Nurses Society has adopted the international Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) framework as a standard in its 2021 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. ANTT reduces variability and improves patient safety, particularly with ultrasound-guided peripheral IV insertions.
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed a unique method to fabricate freeform structures of thermoplastics in microparticulate gels. This innovation uses immersion precipitation of polymer inks in microparticulate gels, enabling the creation of mechanically strong components without support materials.
A new invention uses sunlight to drive water purification, filtering out lead, oil and pathogens from contaminated water. The device can operate off-grid and is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
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.
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.
Scientists at NIST and University of Delaware developed a new method to create nanoparticle gels, which have potential uses in water filtration and smart windows. The resulting gel has a spongelike structure with interconnected microscopic channels, offering advantages for filtration and chemical reactions.
Researchers created a gel made of two solid ingredients - polymers and nanoparticles - that can defy thermodynamic laws to remain stable at body temperature. This breakthrough could lead to injectable gels that release medicines over time, replacing daily or weekly shots.
Researchers report positive results from three Phase I studies on rectal microbicides, including a gel containing dapivirine that was well-tolerated but required higher doses to provide protection. The studies suggest that dosing changes and longer-acting formulations may be necessary for effective HIV prevention through anal sex.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a trifunctional contraceptive gel that enhances male libido and prevents pregnancy in 100% of cases. The gel combines spermicidal, anti-viral, and libido-enhancing agents, demonstrating improved safety and quality of sexual intercourse.
Researchers discover that a gel containing GzmB inhibitor VTI-1002 reduces skin blistering by 50% and protects skin integrity, offering hope for targeted treatments for pemphigoid diseases. Current corticosteroids often cause severe side effects, making alternative therapies needed.
Rutgers engineers create 3D-printed smart gel that senses light and changes shape, inspired by cephalopod skin. The technology has potential applications in military camouflage, soft robotics, and flexible displays.
Researchers have created a new composite hydrogel with tantalum particles that can effectively seal off damaged blood vessels, providing rapid and stable bleeding control. The gel exhibits shear-thinning capabilities, allowing for easy deployment using standard catheters.
University of Alberta researchers found that chromatin is neither solid nor liquid but rather a gel-like substance. This discovery could lead to better understanding of diseases like cancer and improve gene regulation.
Researchers at University of Tsukuba develop a new carbon-based electrical device, π-ion gel transistors (PIGTs), with improved conductivity. The innovative technology may lead to the creation of flexible electronics and efficient photovoltaics.
Researchers from RUDN University created a wound-healing gel using the metabolic product L-lysine-oxidase produced by Trichoderma fungi. The gel showed advanced wound-healing properties, with carbopol-based gel demonstrating the best results in treating wounds.
A team of Brazilian and French researchers has developed hydrogels based on modified starch for use as 'ink' in 3D printing of foods. The gels have optimal printability, allowing for the creation of customized food products with desired shapes, textures and flavors.
Researchers at RIKEN develop a material that can change from soft to hard and back again in response to temperature changes, mimicking the properties of sea cucumbers. The material's structure is manipulated using electrostatic repulsion and gold nanoparticles, enabling rapid and reversible shape shifts.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel gel-like state that enables male fruit flies to compensate for their single X chromosome. The mechanism, which involves the assembly of roX-MSL2 gel, allows the complex to distinguish and mark the X chromosome. This innovation sheds light on how dosage compensation is achieved in male flies.
A new hydrogel biomaterial triggers an adaptive immune response, leading to improved tissue repair and stronger healed skin. The material, developed at Duke University, demonstrates a regenerative immune response that can potentially heal skin injuries like burns and cuts more effectively than current wound-healing hydrogels.
A new type of soil created by engineers at the University of Texas at Austin can pull water from the air and distribute it to plants, potentially increasing crop yields in previously inhospitable areas. The hydrogel soil retained up to 40% of its initial water quantity, outperforming sandy soils in dry areas.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a gel-based 3D bioprinting method that can create complex shapes and tissues with precise cell placement. The yield stress gel allows for the self-healing of the gel structure, enabling the creation of free-form, complex shapes.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo developed a method for creating stress-free gels with less internal mechanical stress by delaying network formation. This breakthrough may help understand biological processes involving cytoplasm and improve industrial processes that create semisolid products, such as foodstuffs.
A new survey among vascular access and emergency department clinicians reveals clinically meaningful differences in ultrasound-guided peripheral IV (UGPIV) procedures and supplies. The study highlights the urgent need for standardized and consistent UGPIV practices to minimize contamination and promote patient safety.
Researchers at NIST create complex structures with nanometer-scale precision using a new 3D-printing method, enabling the production of tiny medical devices such as flexible electrodes. The technique uses electron beams or X-rays to initiate gel formation, allowing for finer structural detail than traditional methods.
Scientists develop a self-actuated soft hydrogel driven by an oscillatory chemical reaction to produce an autonomous integrated pump for microfluidic applications. The researchers created a single-component power source, simplifying design and reducing cost.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a hydrogel that mimics the human brain's dynamic memory function, encoding information that fades with time depending on intensity. The hydrogel's memory system can be programmed by temperature and learning time, allowing for stable memory establishment and controlled forgetting processes.
Researchers found substandard products with inadequate alcohol concentrations are widely available, putting public health at risk. Experts recommend using proper hand sanitizing gels with high alcohol content and following correct usage instructions.
Researchers at Terasaki Institute develop a microneedle patch to extract skin interstitial fluid, providing an alternative source for biomarker testing and overcoming issues with blood sampling. The patch, made of gelatin methacryloyl, is highly absorbent and biocompatible, eliminating the need for hollow needles.
Scientists have combined experiments with simulations to reveal new insights into the flow behavior of elasto-visco-plastic materials. Their research highlights the importance of including elasticity in future models, which is crucial for understanding how these materials behave under different conditions.
Researchers have developed a novel freeze-thaw method to create noble metal aerogels with high surface areas and self-healing properties. These aerogels exhibit impressive light-driven photoelectrocatalytic performance, outperforming commercial palladium-on-carbon catalysts.
Researchers at QIBEBT discovered a copper ion that overcomes discharge product build-up issues in magnesium batteries. The Mg/Cu+ battery retained 80% of its capacity after 200 cycles, outperforming traditional lithium-ion batteries.
A novel gel-based cooling system developed at KAUST has improved the efficiency of a prototype solar panel up to 20 percent, consuming no external energy. The technology taps into the natural properties of the Earth's climate, utilizing atmospheric water generation to reduce temperatures and enhance heat transfer.
A new adhesive method allows conductive polymer gels to adhere to a wide variety of surfaces, including glass and gold, even when exposed to moisture. This breakthrough enables the development of more durable and reliable biomedical sensors and implants.
Researchers developed a counter-intuitive disturbance-promoted gelation method, accelerating gelation to one to ten minutes at room temperature. The method exhibits enhanced photoelectrocatalytic properties, outperforming commercial palladium/carbon.
A new two-step technique repairs herniated discs by re-inflating the disc with hyaluronic acid gel and sealing the hole with collagen gel. This method maintains mechanical function and prevents collapse or deterioration, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments.
Researchers developed liquid crystalline gels capable of underwater photothermal actuation, inducing macroscopic shape changes that drove locomotion. The gels exhibited temperature-dependent bending and oscillation, allowing for various types of underwater movement, including crawling, walking, jumping, and swimming.
Bacteria can coexist through a simple mechanism where movement drives ecosystem diversity and stability. The active migration of organisms can keep different bacterial strains together, allowing them to survive alongside each other.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that changes color with radiation exposure, allowing for painless dose monitoring on the skin. The gel is relatively inexpensive and can be used directly on the skin without complex handling.