Researchers have developed a new hydrogel that is both strong and self-healing. This breakthrough could enhance wound care, drug delivery, soft robotics, and artificial skin advancements.
Gels are common in everyday life. They are found in hair products, food, and even human skin. However, while skin is strong and flexible and can heal quickly, synthetic gels have traditionally lacked one or more properties. Until now, artificial gels could either be durable or capable of self-repair—but not both.
Scientists from Aalto University in Finland and the University of Bayreuth in Germany have developed a hydrogel that combines these features, marking a significant step in material science.
The key to this innovation lies in the unique structure of the hydrogel. Researchers integrated ultra-thin, large clay nanosheets into the gel, forming a highly organized network. These nanosheets create a dense, interwoven structure that strengthens the material while allowing it to self-heal.
According to Hang Zhang, a researcher at Aalto University, the nanosheets and the polymers entangle like tiny, flexible yarns, forming a strong and dynamic structure. If cut, the material’s molecular chains reconnect, enabling it to heal by itself.
Scientists have developed a revolutionary skin-like hydrogel that can heal wounds at an incredibly fast rate. This advanced material is designed to repair 90% of a wound within just four hours and achieve full healing within 24 hours. The hydrogel mimics the properties of human… pic.twitter.com/HZiwVaUs6p
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The hydrogel also closely matches the mechanical properties of human skin. A layer just one millimeter thick contains 10,000 nanosheets, providing a comparable level of stiffness, elasticity, and durability.
The method used to create the hydrogel is surprisingly straightforward. Postdoctoral researcher Chen Liang mixed a powder with water containing nanosheets. The solution was then exposed to ultraviolet light, similar to the lamps used for curing gel nail polish.
Liang explained that the UV light causes molecules to bind together, turning the liquid into a flexible solid.
The hydrogel repairs itself by 80 to 90 percent within four hours of being cut. After 24 hours, it is fully restored.
The ability to develop synthetic materials that mirror natural healing processes opens the door to multiple applications. Scientists believe this hydrogel could be used in medicine, wearable technology, and robotics.
“Imagine robots with robust, self-healing skins or synthetic tissues that autonomously repair,” said Olli Ikkala, a professor at Aalto University. “This work is an exciting example of how biological materials inspire us to look for new combinations of properties for synthetic materials.”
Scientists consider this discovery a significant advancement, although more research is needed before it can be widely used.
“Stiff, strong, and self-healing hydrogels have long been a challenge. We have discovered a mechanism to strengthen the conventionally soft hydrogels. This could revolutionise the development of new materials with bio-inspired properties,” says Zhang.
The study, led by Zhang, Ikkala, and Professor Josef Breu of the University of Bayreuth, was published in Nature Materials on March 7. Prof. Breu’s team developed the synthetic clay nanosheets used in the research.
