Tag Archive for 'Gel'

Xing et al. report printable metallic gels (pendular suspensions) consisting of an aqueous suspension of copper particles connected by bridges of liquid eutectic gallium indium alloy (EGaIn). Pendular suspensions rely on capillary forces to form networks between solid particles with a composition-dependent rheology, but prior studies have focused on insulating suspensions. Here, the rheology of a conductive solid-liquid-liquid suspension is tuned for 3D printing by varying the composition and the pH; the latter promotes metallic wetting. The dry printed parts have metallic electrical conductivity without requiring a sintering step. Drying at elevated temperatures can accelerate the removal of water while creating stress that drives shape change (i.e., 4D printing). As a demonstration, the authors print a conductive spider that lifts and assembles its own body from an initially flat shape. Such conductive inks are promising for printing metallic structures under ambient conditions. Image credit: Xing et al., doi: 10.1016/j.matt.2023.06.015.

Scientists Develop Metallic Gel for Conductive 3D and 4D Printing

Jul 6, 2023 by News Staff

Materials scientists at the North Carolina State University have connected copper particles with gallium indium alloy bridges to form a conductive printing...

Guo et al. reveal succinate’s effect on periodontitis pathogenesis and provides a topical treatment for this disease. Image credit: Guo et al., doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111389.

Newly-Developed Topical Gel Could Potentially Treat Periodontitis

Sep 20, 2022 by News Staff

The new topical gel that blocks the receptor for a molecule called succinate treats periodontitis — also known as gum disease or periodontal disease...

This electron microscope image shows a tardigrade. Image credit: S. Tanaka / H. Sagara / T. Kunieda.

Newly-Discovered Mechanism Explains How Tardigrades Survive Extreme Dehydration

Sep 8, 2022 by News Staff

Tardigrades are able to tolerate almost complete dehydration by entering a reversible state called anhydrobiosis and resume their animation upon rehydration....

Schematic overview of the mechanism of action of the implemented snake venom proteins. Ecarin, a procoagulant snake venom protein bypasses the activation of series of clotting factors via intrinsic and extrinsic clotting pathway and directly activates prothrombin to thrombin thereby producing a fibrin blood clot. Once the clot is formed, clot breakdown (fibrinolysis) is initiated by the activation of plasminogen mainly by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), forming active plasmin which proteolytically acts on the fibrin blood clot. Textilinin, an antifibrinolytic snake venom protein binds to plasmin with high specificity and inhibits the action of plasmin, stabilizing the fibrin blood clot. Image credit: Yegappan et al., doi: 10.1002/adhm.202200574.

Researchers Create Snake Venom Hydrogel that Rapidly Stops Uncontrolled Bleeding

Jun 20, 2022 by News Staff

The newly-developed rapid wound sealant is composed of two snake venom proteins: ecarin, which rapidly initiates blood clotting, and textilinin, which...

Light-responsive artificial chromatophores may suggest a new concept for various engineering applications such as camouflage interfaces, biophotonic devices, and flexible displays. Image credit: Han et al., doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c17623.

Newly-Developed Artificial Chromatophores Change Color in Response to Light

Jan 6, 2021 by News Staff

Artificial chromatophores that change color when exposed to light may lead to new military camouflage, soft robotics, and flexible displays. This invention...

NO-Scv gel-mediated anti-inflammation therapy. Image credit: Pohang University of Science and Technology.

Nitric Oxide-Scavenging Nanogel Could Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jun 12, 2019 by News Staff

Nitric oxide (NO), a radical gas molecule produced by nitric oxide synthase, prevents high blood pressure and artery plaque build-up in the human body....