Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a hydrogel that becomes as hard as glass under high pressure. Hydrogels are typically very elastic and soft, made up of crosslinked polymers that can be adjusted to suit various purposes. They are used in medicine to treat wounds and in underwater adhesives, among other applications. The new hydrogel developed by the Cambridge team is made up of crosslinks consisting of cucurbiturils, organic molecules that bind the opposing crosslinks more strongly together. This allows the hydrogel to withstand high pressure without deforming, becoming as hard as glass instead.
Lab experiments and tests involving a 1.2-tonne car showed that the new hydrogel can withstand pressures of more than one gigapascal, which is ten thousand times higher than atmospheric pressure on Earth. The hydrogel did not deform or get crushed under the pressure, but instead became as hard as glass. The researchers believe that the new hydrogel has many practical applications, as it covers the entire range from rubbery soft to glass-hard materials. The hardness of the hydrogel under pressure can be controlled by modifying the crosslinker ends.
The development of this new hydrogel opens up a new chapter in the field of high-performance gels, according to the researchers. They believe that the hydrogel has many potential uses, and that it represents a new class of materials that can be used in a wide range of applications. The researchers are excited about the possibilities that this new material presents, and they are looking forward to exploring its potential in the years to come.
