Hokkaido University scientists have created a new range of hydrogel composites that can be combined in a material that is five times stronger than carbon steel. The method involves adding soft hydrophilic polymer chains to miniscule glass fibres to create a tensile and tough material. The resulting composite hydrogel is 25 times stronger than glass fibre fabric and 100 times stronger than normal hydrogels. This research was carried out by Professor Masaru Iwata from the Department of Materials Science at Hokkaido University, who has been working on this project for more than two years.
Hokkaido University scientists have created a new range of hydrogel composites that can be combined in a material that is five times stronger than carbon steel. The method involves adding soft hydrophilic polymer chains to miniscule glass fibres to create a tensile and tough material. The resulting composite hydrogel is 25 times stronger than glass fibre fabric and 100 times stronger than normal hydrogels. The material is environmentally friendly, being 40% water, and could be used in artificial tendons and ligaments.