A super-stretchy hydrogel can stretch to 15 times its original length and return to its initial shape, and could be used to make soft inflatable robots
A hydrogel that can stretch to around 15 times its initial length is one of the most elastic materials yet known and could be used for robotic grippers or tendons.at Tsinghua University in Beijing and her colleagues have developed a new kind of hydrogel that is extraordinarily stretchy but maintains its original shape. They modified the typical hydrogel structure by inserting what they call pearl-necklace chains, which consist of coiled polymer beads connected by a chain of carbon atoms.
To make these chains, Chen and her team dried out a hydrogel so that the polymer chains were attracted to themselves, when normally they would be pulled more strongly by the water molecules. They found that a 30-centimetre length of their hydrogel could stretch to nearly 5 metres before returning to its original length in a few seconds. A 2-centimetre-wide disc of the hydrogel, pulled outwards in all directions, could increase 100 times in area before returning to its original size.. These were able to pick up objects such as strawberries and were extremely damage resistant, continuing to work after a person stood on them or pierced them with a needle.
“Hydrogels are usually stretchy but not that elastic, while this gel combines both properties to make ultra-deformable and hyper-elastic materials.” saysat Peking University in China, who wasn’t involved in the study. “Undoubtedly, this work represents a major breakthrough in high-performance polymeric materials, and will inspire substantial interest into exploitation of hyper-elastic gels in soft robotics.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jackson basketball coach James Collins steps down after 15 seasons at his alma materJames Collins rebuilt his alma mater at Jackson High School and now it’s time for a break.
Read more »
Kylie Kelce to speak at final graduation for her alma mater Cabrini UniversityCabrini University is celebrating Kylie Kelce, one of its beloved alums, while celebrating its final graduating class in on May 19, 2024.
Read more »
Review: Dvorak Stabat Mater from Highland Park Chorale and OrchestraDvorak's ‘Stabat Mater’ was very well performed by the Highland Park Chorale and Orchestra. But is it an unjustly neglected masterpiece?
Read more »
Holding on to hope: 35-year-old lacrosse coach at Mater Dei High opens up about ALS diagnosisWith the help of his lacrosse family and non-traditional treatment, Johnny Rodriguez is holding on tight to one thing: hope.
Read more »
William & Mary to honor former defense secretary Robert Gates with new buildingFormer U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will have an academic building named after him at William & Mary, his alma mater where he holds the honorary position of chancellor.
Read more »
UVU ranks No. 1 for grads opening local businessesUtah Valley University was ranked first in the nation for the amount of graduates who open businesses in the same state as their alma mater.
Read more »