Hydrogels are blobs of water entrapped in a mesh. The mesh is a network of hydrophilic (water loving) polymers either natural or synthetic. Gelatine, agarose, carboy methyl cellulose, hydrophilic acrylates all can form hydrogels. We are quite familiar with hydrogels in our daily life, be it the jelly we eat or the soft contact lenses that some of us insert into our eyes. The similarity of hydrogels with soft biological tissues in terms of water content and texture has made them the most desirable biomaterials.
However cartilage tissues, such as nails and skin contain more than 50% water but still possess superior mechanical properties. Nails are hard and stiff and skin is elastic. Scientists so far haven't been able to design such hydrogels. Now Rauner et al ( Technische Universitat Dortmund, Germany) report a unique calcification method to arrive at stiffer hydrogels by incorporating nanostructures of calcium phosphate into the gel body. They entrapped enzyme alkaline phosphatase in hydrophilic acrylate polymers and made these into films. The films were then dipped in water to swell, the swollen films were then immersed in an aqueous solution of calcium 2-glycerol phosphate(CaGP for short). As the hydrogels got irrigated with CaGP, the entrapped enzyme began its duty of converting CaGP the to calcium phosphate nano structures within bulk of the films. By varying the experimental conditions, such as duration, pH etc, the team could design optically transparent films with very high mechanical properties. To quote fracture energies of the order of 1300 joules per square meter and stiffness upto 440 megapascals, several fold higher than cartilage and skin. Rauner and his team are confidant that these materials could be used as "stiff scaffolds in tissue engineering for regenerative medicine and cell growth or as tough implants and carriers for drug delivery."
Another report highlights the use of hydrogels for treatment of detached retinas. As of now a gas or silicone oil is used to push back and hold the detached retina in place while adhesion takes place.. Hayashi et al have developed an injectable hydrogel which will prove to be simpler and more biocompatible. Stanley Chang at the Edward S Harkness Eye Institute attached tot the Columbia University Medical Centre USA remarks that the gel could revolutionise the treatment of retinal detachment and other ocular disorders."
TAILPIECE
And now an exciting venture from Skipping Rocks. To quote from their website
Ooho! is a sustainable packaging alternative to plastic bottles and cups, made from a seaweed extract. It is entirely biodegradable and so natural you can actually eat it! Ooho sachets are flexible packets of water, drunk by tearing a hole and pouring into your mouth, or consumed whole. Our packaging is cheaper than plastic and can encapsulate any beverage including water, soft drinks, spirits, and even cosmetics.
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However cartilage tissues, such as nails and skin contain more than 50% water but still possess superior mechanical properties. Nails are hard and stiff and skin is elastic. Scientists so far haven't been able to design such hydrogels. Now Rauner et al ( Technische Universitat Dortmund, Germany) report a unique calcification method to arrive at stiffer hydrogels by incorporating nanostructures of calcium phosphate into the gel body. They entrapped enzyme alkaline phosphatase in hydrophilic acrylate polymers and made these into films. The films were then dipped in water to swell, the swollen films were then immersed in an aqueous solution of calcium 2-glycerol phosphate(CaGP for short). As the hydrogels got irrigated with CaGP, the entrapped enzyme began its duty of converting CaGP the to calcium phosphate nano structures within bulk of the films. By varying the experimental conditions, such as duration, pH etc, the team could design optically transparent films with very high mechanical properties. To quote fracture energies of the order of 1300 joules per square meter and stiffness upto 440 megapascals, several fold higher than cartilage and skin. Rauner and his team are confidant that these materials could be used as "stiff scaffolds in tissue engineering for regenerative medicine and cell growth or as tough implants and carriers for drug delivery."
Another report highlights the use of hydrogels for treatment of detached retinas. As of now a gas or silicone oil is used to push back and hold the detached retina in place while adhesion takes place.. Hayashi et al have developed an injectable hydrogel which will prove to be simpler and more biocompatible. Stanley Chang at the Edward S Harkness Eye Institute attached tot the Columbia University Medical Centre USA remarks that the gel could revolutionise the treatment of retinal detachment and other ocular disorders."
TAILPIECE
And now an exciting venture from Skipping Rocks. To quote from their website
Ooho! is a sustainable packaging alternative to plastic bottles and cups, made from a seaweed extract. It is entirely biodegradable and so natural you can actually eat it! Ooho sachets are flexible packets of water, drunk by tearing a hole and pouring into your mouth, or consumed whole. Our packaging is cheaper than plastic and can encapsulate any beverage including water, soft drinks, spirits, and even cosmetics.
See video at Skipping Rocks Lab
