hydrogel
Absorbent gel matrix
A hydrogel is a water-absorbing polymer that swells into a gel-like substance while maintaining its structure.
Hydrogels appear in contact lenses, wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and those expanding water beads children play with.
The material can hold many times its weight in water: The hydrogel kept the soil moist for days.
Chemical bonds between polymers
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- networkInterconnected system
- alginateSeaweed-derived gelling agent
collagen · cellulose · PVA · copolymer · interpenetrating · synthetic · natural · biopolymer
Allowing light through
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- viscoelasticBoth liquid and solid-like
- softYielding to touch
- flexibleAble to bend freely
semisolid · deformable · self-healing · stretchable · tough · resilient · compliant · rubbery
Temporary elevated work structure
- drug-deliveryAdministering medicine to body
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- implantDevice placed inside tissue
- injectableAdministered via needle
bioactive · hemostatic · antimicrobial · biosensor · encapsulation · corneal · adhesive
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- superabsorbentExceptionally capable of soaking
- osmosisSolvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- saturationState of complete permeation
wicking · moisture · hygroscopic · permeability · diffusion · capillary · porosity · rehydration
crosslinking
Chemical bonds between polymers
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- networkInterconnected system
alginate · collagen · cellulose · PVA · copolymer · interpenetrating · synthetic · natural · biopolymer · grafted
transparent
Allowing light through
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- viscoelasticBoth liquid and solid-like
- softYielding to touch
flexible · semisolid · deformable · self-healing · stretchable · tough · resilient · compliant · rubbery · moldable
scaffold
Temporary elevated work structure
- drug-deliveryAdministering medicine to body
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- implantDevice placed inside tissue
injectable · bioactive · hemostatic · antimicrobial · biosensor · encapsulation · corneal · adhesive
swelling
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- superabsorbentExceptionally capable of soaking
- osmosisSolvent crossing semipermeable barrier
saturation · wicking · moisture · hygroscopic · permeability · diffusion · capillary · porosity · rehydration · desiccation
- first aidbandage, bandages, first aid kit, tourniquet, gauze pads
- gelsJell-O, agar, jelly
- wound carebandage, bandages, gauze, gauze pads, dressings
- gooey stuffslime, goo, goop, ooze, paste
- burn carealoe vera, burn cream, cool compress, cold water, burn unit
- growing mediapotting mix, potting soil, garden soil, perlite, vermiculite
hydrogelaerogel
Gas-filled porous solid
desiccant · powder · silica gel · dry powder
- hydrogen balloonBuoyant craft using lightest element
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- hydrogen peroxideOxidizing disinfectant and bleach
- hydrogen bondElectronegativity-based intermolecular attraction
- liquid hydrogenCryogenic form of lightest element
- hydrogen fuelEnergy from lightest element