cross-link
Molecular connecting bond
Cross-link refers to a chemical bond connecting two polymer chains or different parts of the same chain, creating a network structure.
Rubber vulcanization is a classic example—sulfur cross-links make rubber stronger and more elastic.
The verb means to form such connections: The proteins cross-link when heated.
Figuratively, cross-link describes any interconnection between separate systems or ideas.
Monomers bonding into chains
- covalentSharing electrons between atoms
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- curingRestoring health or preserving
- gelationTransition to gel state
thermoset · elastomers · hydrogels · formaldehyde · collagen · matrix · macromolecules · intermolecular
Cross threads alternately
- intertwineTwist together mutually
- interlaceWeave elements together
- meshInterlocking open weave
- interconnectJoin in a network
bridge · unify · merge · consolidate · blend · combine · coordinate · synthesize
polymerization
Monomers bonding into chains
- covalentSharing electrons between atoms
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- curingRestoring health or preserving
gelation · thermoset · elastomers · hydrogels · formaldehyde · collagen · matrix · macromolecules · intermolecular · disulfide
connect
Join or link
fasten · couple · bridge · tie · anchor · splice · fuse · interconnect · conjoin · mesh
interweave
Cross threads alternately
- intertwineTwist together mutually
- interlaceWeave elements together
- meshInterlocking open weave
interconnect · bridge · unify · merge · consolidate · blend · combine · coordinate · synthesize · harmonize
reference
Directing attention elsewhere
node · routing · interconnect · gateway · interface · protocol · relational · database · index · navigation
- connectionslinks, connect, connection, tie, ties
- diagramsflowchart, labeled diagram, Venn diagram, block diagram, tree diagram
- chemical bondscovalent bond, covalent bonds, ionic bond, ionic bonds, ionic
- collagencollagen, type I collagen, triple helix, collagen production, collagenase