Description: |
When it comes to synthetic hydrogels, finding the perfect mixture of toughness and ease of fabrication has been elusive. Although tough hydrogels have been created to withstand a high mechanical load, they cannot be easily printed by a three-dimensional (3D) printer owing to their relatively complicated compositions or fabrication processes. 3D printing is essential in the hydrogel field as it allows for rapid prototyping as well as ease of constructing complex structures. In a recent study published in Advanced Materials, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Duke University, and Columbia University have combined two commonly used materials to create a printable gel that is tough enough to stand up to intense stresses. |