I wonder what that cool substance might be.
Hydrogel (also called aquagel) is a network of polymer chains that are hydrophilic, sometimes found as a colloidal gel in which water is the dispersion medium. Hydrogels are highly absorbent (they can contain over 99.9% water) natural or synthetic polymers. Hydrogels also possess a degree of flexibility very similar to natural tissue, due to their significant water content. Common uses for hydrogels include
currently used as scaffolds in tissue engineering. When used as scaffolds, hydrogels may contain human cells to repair tissue.
environmentally sensitive hydrogels which are also known as ‘Smart Gels’ or ‘Intelligent Gels’. These hydrogels have the ability to sense changes of pH, temperature, or the concentration of metabolite and release their load as result of such a change.
as sustained-release drug delivery systems.
provide absorption, desloughing and debriding of necrotic and fibrotic tissue.
hydrogels that are responsive to specific molecules, such as glucose or antigens, can be used as biosensors, as well as in DDS.
used in disposable diapers where they absorb urine, or in sanitary napkins
contact lenses (silicone hydrogels, polyacrylamides)
EEG and ECG medical electrodes using hydrogels composed of cross-linked polymers (polyethylene oxide, polyAMPS and polyvinylpyrrolidone)
water gel explosives
rectal drug delivery and diagnosis
Other, less common uses include
breast implants
granules for holding soil moisture in arid areas
dressings for healing of burn or other hard-to-heal wounds. Wound gels are excellent for helping to create or maintain a moist environment.
reservoirs in topical drug delivery; particularly ionic drugs, delivered by iontophoresis (see ion exchange resin)