hydrogels
Swollen polymer networks
Hydrogels are water-swollen polymer networks that hold large amounts of water while maintaining their structure.
They feel soft and flexible, similar to living tissue, which makes them useful in contact lenses, wound dressings, and drug delivery systems.
The hydrogel bandage kept the burn moist while it healed.
Chemical bonds between polymers
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
- networkInterconnected system
alginate · collagen · cellulose · pectin · acrylic · synthetic · natural · biopolymer
Tendency to resume original form
- flexibleAble to bend freely
- pliabilityAbility to bend easily
- stretchableCapable of being extended
- softYielding to touch
squishy · spongy · resilient · supple · pliant · bendable · springy · tensile
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- retentionContinued holding or possession
- porousAllowing passage of fluids
- permeableAllowing substances through
osmosis · saturate · wicking · capillary · superabsorbent · moisture · imbibe · soak
Administering medicine to body
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- implantsSurgically embedded devices
- bioadhesiveSubstance bonding to living tissue
hemostasis · vascularization · orthopedics · prosthesis · bioactivity · bioengineering · encapsulation · injectable
Maintaining stable internal heat
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- thermosensitiveResponsive to temperature changes
crosslinking
Chemical bonds between polymers
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- monomerChain-forming molecule
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
network · alginate · collagen · cellulose · pectin · acrylic · synthetic · natural · biopolymer · macromolecular
elasticity
Tendency to resume original form
- flexibleAble to bend freely
- pliabilityAbility to bend easily
- stretchableCapable of being extended
soft · squishy · spongy · resilient · supple · pliant · bendable · springy · tensile · yielding
swelling
Abnormal tissue enlargement
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- retentionContinued holding or possession
- porousAllowing passage of fluids
permeable · osmosis · saturate · wicking · capillary · superabsorbent · moisture · imbibe · soak · hygroscopic
drug-delivery
Administering medicine to body
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- implantsSurgically embedded devices
bioadhesive · hemostasis · vascularization · orthopedics · prosthesis · bioactivity · bioengineering · encapsulation · injectable
thermoregulation
Maintaining stable internal heat
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- thermosensitiveResponsive to temperature changes
- flexible materialsrubber band, elastic, spandex, latex, silicone
- pharmaceuticalsanalgesics, medicines, anesthetics, pills, acetaminophen
- soil sciencesoil, topsoil, subsoil, clay, sand
- 3D culturespheroids, organoids, scaffolds, bioreactors, basement membrane
- Bioprintingbioprinting, print head, nozzle, layer-by-layer, scaffolds
- gene transfertransfection, microinjection, calcium phosphate, transduction, plasmid
hydrogelssilicone
Flexible synthetic polymer
aerogels · waxes · oils · Teflon · desiccants
hydrogelsceramics
Hardened clay objects
epoxy resins · metals · glass · polycarbonate · acrylic glass
- 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