Articles tagged with Gels
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.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a new class of material, 'non-sticky gels,' that forms when colloidal particles behave as liquid crystals. This breakthrough enables the development of gel formulations with improved mechanical properties and longer shelf-life, addressing a major limitation in many products.
Researchers have developed a novel technology that enables the communication between light beams through solid matter, paving the way for a new form of computing. The innovative material, resembling raspberry Jell-O, incorporates light-responsive molecules that can contain and transmit information between filaments of laser light.
Researchers create a new material that can break down in response to light, offering a faster and easier way to remove gastrointestinal devices. The light-sensitive hydrogel is made from a combination of strong components linked together by a chemical bond that breaks when exposed to specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers have introduced a gel that is activated by red light to produce reactive oxygen compounds effectively killing bacteria and fungi. The hydrogel combines photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy with fully synthetic properties, overcoming previous biocompatibility issues.
Researchers at Lund University developed a hydrogel based on the body's natural peptide defense, preventing and treating wound infections while reducing inflammation. The gel kills multi-resistant bacteria and has an immunosuppressive effect.
Researchers developed a new method using interferometry to visualize the movement of millions of molecules in 3D, providing insights into biological processes. The technique distinguishes between flow and diffusion movements, enabling the study of virus-cell interactions and cellular dynamics.
Researchers developed a cold-stable spray gel containing heparin and ibuprofen to treat frostbite injuries, showing improved healing rates compared to conventional treatments. The treatment reduced inflammation and accelerated healing, potentially preventing gangrene and amputation.
Researchers have created a new polymer gel with an ordered structure, allowing for potential uses in chemical filters, sensors, and drug release. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in various fields by providing a more consistent material.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a hydrogel that stiffens 1,800-fold when exposed to heat, inspired by thermophilic proteins. The material, composed of polyelectrolyte poly(acrylic acid), transforms from soft to rigid upon heating and can be reversed with cooling.
Researchers at Linköping University have discovered a material that can increase and reduce its volume when exposed to weak electrical pulses. The new conducting polymer expands to 14 or 120 times its original volume, making it significantly larger than previously reported materials controlled by an electrical signal.
A new study found that consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise can sustain blood glucose levels and improve performance in trained athletes. The research compared the effects of potato puree to commercial carbohydrate gels on cycling performance.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new 3D printing technique called Suspended Layer Additive Manufacturing (SLAM) that can create soft biomaterials for repairing body defects. The technique uses a polymer-based hydrogel with self-healing properties, allowing for precise detail and support without sagging.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute develop CRISPR-responsive smart materials that can release bound cargo, change structures, or regulate electric circuits. These materials have potential for novel theranostic strategies, point-of-care diagnostics, and regional monitoring of epidemic outbreaks.
Researchers developed a CRISPR-responsive hydrogel system that can be programmed to release compounds, nanoparticles, or live cells in response to specific DNA targets. The system's sensitivity and versatility make it suitable for various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, bio-electronics, and biosensing.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a gel that reduces scar tissue and adhesions after cardiac surgery in animals, outperforming current methods. The gel, PNP 1:10, is safe and effective in preventing adhesions, with few side effects.
A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University has developed a new technique to 3D bioprint tissue scaffolds out of collagen, allowing them to overcome challenges associated with existing methods and achieve unprecedented resolution and fidelity. The technique, known as Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH...
Researchers at MIT have developed a new gel-like material that can create a stable cushion for more than an hour, reducing the risk of tearing the colon lining during polyp removal. This innovation could greatly improve the safety and effectiveness of colonoscopies.
Researchers at McMaster University developed a novel antibacterial gel made entirely from bacteria-killing viruses, which can be targeted to attack specific forms of bacteria. The gel holds promise for numerous beneficial applications in medicine and environmental protection.
Researchers at UC San Diego discover a gel-like state of DNA that enables stability and responsiveness in the nucleus. The study suggests a physical principle of chromosomal organization with implications for gene expression and cell fate.
Researchers at MIT developed a new method to create nanoemulsions, stable droplets that can remain intact for over a year and carry large payloads of active ingredients. By adding heat-sensitive polymers, they can easily convert the emulsions into gels when exposed to body temperature.
Researchers created a hydrogel-based adhesive inspired by snails' mucus, combining strength and reversibility. The PHEMA gel achieves adhesive strengths comparable to superglues, with 'shape adaptation and memory' properties.
A new alliance of six German research institutions is investigating the nanostructure and microstructure of polymer gels to understand their capabilities. The group aims to create polymer networks with controllable structures to control the selective transport of active substances.
The researchers used confocal microscopy to analyze the complete gelation process in real time with single particle resolution. They found that the point of solidity appearance corresponds to the point of isotropic percolation of isostatic structures, which is directly linked to mechanical stability.
Researchers have created a novel material that harnesses water to deliver force and motion, revolutionizing the development of soft robots. This new material is made from spores and adhesives, providing an alternative to traditional materials used in hard actuators.
A team of scientists discovered that the elasticity of gels arises from the packing of clusters of particles in the gels. The researchers used graph theory to identify the boundaries between these clusters, which act as rigid units within the gel, determining its elastic modulus.
Researchers at DOE's Ames Laboratory developed a new microscopy approach to image gel nanocomposites in their natural state, providing insights into their assembly and properties. The technique allows for the observation of nanoparticles within gels, which shows promise in creating materials with unique optical properties.
Researchers develop a new polymer that can expand and contract in response to light, lifting a weight with minimal stimulation. The material has potential applications in biomedical fields, such as drug-delivery devices or artificial muscles.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University has demonstrated that the tunable hydrophobic nature of dense siloxane gels strongly correlates with their catalytic activity. The study shows that molecules with different hydrophobicity interact differently with surfaces, leading to increased or decreased catalytic activity.
Researchers have created a new type of magnesium battery that uses a rigid-fexible coupling gel polymer electrolyte to achieve improved performance. The battery exhibits reversible Mg plating/stripping performance, high Mg-ion conductivity, and unprecedented improvements in safety issues.
Researchers designed an ingestible pill that quickly inflates to track stomach temperature for 30 days, then deflates using calcium solution. The hydrogel-based design is softer and longer-lasting than current sensors, inspired by the pufferfish's defense mechanism.
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that total release foggers, or bug bombs, are ineffective in removing cockroaches from indoor environments. The products leave behind toxic residues on surfaces and fail to reach areas where cockroaches congregate, such as under surfaces and inside cabinets.
Researchers model the hagfish's unique slime production, discovering it relies on hydrodynamic forces to unspool microscopic threads. This finding has implications for understanding biological gels and their applications in industries and medicine.
A large study published in The BMJ found that HRT tablets are associated with a higher risk of rare but serious blood clots, particularly those containing equine oestrogen. No increased risk was found for skin patches, gels and creams. The study provides important information for women and their doctors to make informed treatment choices.
Women taking HRT tablets are up to two times more likely to develop potentially life-threatening blood clots. The study found a higher risk for tablet treatments, particularly those containing horse urine-derived oestrogen, but no increased risk for patch, gel, or cream forms.
The University of Birmingham has developed an innovative eye drop treatment that rapidly reduces sight-threatening scarring to the surface of the eye. This novel treatment, which consists of a fluid gel loaded with a natural wound-healing protein called Decorin, shows promise in promoting scarless healing and improving corneal transpar...
Researchers develop a new technique called Implosion Fabrication, which prints nanomaterials inside shrinking gel to create complex shapes and geometries. This method surpasses previous techniques in terms of material versatility and design complexity.
A UCLA-led research team has developed a spray gel that can awaken the immune system to stop cancer from recurring and spreading. The substance was successful half of the time in lab animals, with 50% survival rate after treatment.
A team at the University of Delaware has pioneered methods to grow a self-assembling, functional network of blood vessels. The system works across centimeter scales, necessary for functional tissue replacement, and could someday be utilized for tissue and organ transplantation into humans.
Lehigh University's Kelly Schultz and her team discovered that the structure of cross-linked polymeric gels is independent of concentration until a limit, called the overlap concentration. This characteristic could improve the tailoring of implantable scaffolds to regrow tissue.
Researchers at Tohoku University create a technique to generate large amounts of giant vesicle (liposome) dispersions using a porous silicone material. The method involves adsorbing lipids into the material and squeezing out buffer solutions, producing giant vesicles with high efficiency.
A team of researchers at inStem has developed a nucleophilic polymer-based topical gel that can deactivates pesticides on the skin through nucleophilic-mediated hydrolysis, preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality. The gel shows broad-spectrum activity against commonly used pesticides in India.
Scientists have designed an ion gel with excellent toughness and self-healing properties, promising potential for building flexible electronic devices. The material can quickly heal on its own without external stimuli and exhibit high thermal stability and ionic conductivity.
Researchers have created a stable encapsulation system using cellulose and alginate to protect probiotics from stomach acid, allowing them to survive until reaching the intestine. This breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for conditions like diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a process to create high-performance materials with consistent properties. By controlling reactions, they achieved narrow molecular weight distributions and regular cross-linking, leading to responsive and stable gel networks.
Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University studied how microswimmers navigate gels with contrasting results based on swimmer features and size relative to the gel's mesh. They discovered two mechanisms for achieving motion, one through breaking time-reversal symmetry and the other by modulating arm amplitudes
Researchers at UCLA have demonstrated a promising approach to treating chronic pain by using biomechanical forces to control cell proteins. The study shows that magnetically induced mechanical forces can reduce pain signals in neurons by increasing calcium ions and adapting the cells' response over time.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new approach to create soft, porous materials with controlled porosity. By controlling the self-assembly of molecules, they were able to form an ultralight aerogel with permanent porosity, opening up potential applications in building insulation, energy storage and aerospace technologies.
Scientists at UMass Amherst create a many-compartmented gel to trap large DNA molecules, exhibiting a 'topologically frustrated' inability to diffuse. The discovery has implications for gene therapy and tissue therapy, where precise control over macromolecules is crucial.
Researchers at UCLA used a bioengineered gel to regenerate neurons and blood vessels in mice with stroke-damaged brains. After 16 weeks, the gel helped fill in the stroke cavity, resulting in improved motor behavior in the affected mice.
Researchers at Rutgers University have created a 3D-printed smart gel that can walk underwater, grab objects, and move them. The smart gel resembles human-like muscles and responds to electrical stimulation, making it suitable for various applications including biomedical engineering and soft robotics.
Using cresol, researchers can disperse carbon nanotubes at unprecedentedly high concentrations without additives or harsh chemical reactions. As the concentration increases, the material transitions into a kneadable dough that can be molded and shaped like playdough.
Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University developed a new material that can detect oxalate ions in food products, even at low concentrations. The material uses a dye agent to identify the presence of harmful ions, making it a highly sensitive tool for monitoring food safety.
A pioneering paper provides a practical guide for infection control in clinics, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene, injection safety, cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection. The guide promotes a proactive approach to infection prevention and control, empowering patients to hold healthcare providers accountable.
Researchers developed a new membrane with nanoscale pores that allows for controlled sweat stimulant release, mitigating issues with direct dermal contact and sweat dilution. The technology has the potential to improve wearable biosensing devices for measuring small samples of sweat.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed biocompatible gels for drug delivery using caffeine as a catalyst, eliminating the need for hazardous metal catalysts.
A clinical trial found that vaginal estrogen tablets, moisturizers, and a placebo gel all improved vaginal discomfort symptoms. However, the study suggests that better treatment options are needed for postmenopausal women, who experience significant quality-of-life effects from these symptoms.
A study of 302 postmenopausal women found that prescribed vaginal estradiol hormone tablets and over-the-counter vaginal moisturizer didn't improve symptom relief or sexual function compared to a placebo. The researchers conclude that a better understanding of the underlying mechanism is needed to develop more effective treatments.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a cell-sized mold to create gelatin gels that are 10 times stiffer than regular gels. The findings reveal that the increase in β sheet structure from interaction with lipid membranes is the key factor behind this increased stiffness.
Scientists at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg create albumin-based gels, which could be used to produce drug-delivery implants. The gels' structure and properties were altered by modifying solution pH and temperature conditions.