#gels

Novel porous gel changes color, shrinks and hardens when it detects target molecules

Researchers at Kyoto University and Tohoku University have developed a new porous polymer gel that selectively recognizes specific molecules (referred to as "guests" in the study) through coordination chemistry and converts these invisible molecular-scale interactions into strikingly visible, macroscale deformation. Translating molecular recognition into material change The study demonstrates how subtle differences in molecular structure can directly alter the shape, color, and mechanical properties of a soft material, opening new possibilities for "smart" stimuli-responsive materials and molecularly programmable soft matter that can sense and react to its environment.

Durable ionogel withstands 5,000 times its weight while staying soft on skin

The development of soft materials that can reliably function on the human body is important for the future of bioelectronics and wearable medical devices. These materials need to comfortably conform to the skin while being durable enough for everyday use. However, many existing soft materials are easily damaged, limiting their practical applications. A research team led by Professor Lizhi Xu from the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has created a new type of ionogel that overcomes this challenge. The material is soft and flexible, yet strong enough to withstand significant mechanical stress, making it ideal for wearable and biomedical applications. The research is published in the journal Science Advances, in an article titled "High-strength and fracture-resistant ionogels via solvent-tailored interphase cohesion in nanofibrous composite networks."

Flexible gel can turn body heat into power for next-generation wearables

A soft material developed by researchers at QUT can convert body heat into electricity, opening the door to self-powered wearable devices and more sustainable energy technologies. Published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, the research found that the flexible hydrogel captured wasted heat and turned it into usable electrical power with record efficiency. The paper is titled "Ionic Coordination and Hierarchical Architecture Enable Record n-Type Thermoelectric Efficiency in Soft Hydrogels." Team leader Professor Zhi-Gang Chen said the discovery could help power future wearable electronics without relying as heavily on conventional batteries. "With this gel, we demonstrated how we can turn heat that would otherwise be wasted, such as body heat, into a practical power source," Professor Chen said.

How smart polymer solutions transition to gels around body temperature

In the world of modern medicine, most people focus on the active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are the chemicals that specifically fight a disease's symptoms or causes. However, the unsung heroes of pharmacy are excipients—substances formulated alongside the active ingredients to ensure they reach the right part of the body at the right time. Simply put, excipients are as vital as the drugs themselves because they provide a controllable means of administration. Why poloxamers matter in gels A prominent example is thermoresponsive compounds that enable in situ gelling. These smart liquids, once administered to the body, transform into a solid gel in response to body heat, enabling the medication to stay exactly where it is put and providing a localized, steady release.

Hydrogel switches from liquid to gel at body temperature, enabling easy removal

What if a doctor could inject an electricity-conducting liquid into the body, let it temporarily solidify to record nerve signals or jump-start healing, and then return it to liquid form for easy removal? That vision is edging closer to reality. University of Delaware researchers have developed a reversible conductive hydrogel, a material that can alternate between liquid and gel states. The hydrogel is designed to serve as an interface between conventional electronics and the body's tissues, offering promise for both injectable implants and wearable devices. The research team, led by Laure Kayser, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at UD's College of Engineering, describes the new material in a paper published in Nature Communications.