Clay-Infused Hydrogels Bring Plastic Alternatives Closer To Mainstream Use
Though hydrogels have been used as a replacement for plastic in medical developments since the 1980′s, scientists at the University of Tokyo may have uncovered a way to bring hydrogel technology closer to mainstream use. Normally limited by a lack of rigidity and durability, the Japanese scientists have added small amounts of clay to hydrogel compounds, which adhere to the existing polymer used to bind water into a gel. The resulting scaffolding creates a solid material, similar to plastic but with none of the toxic properties.
[via PopSci]
Recent Articles By Kyle Studstill 
Kyle Studstill is a regular contributor to PSFK.com. Kyle works as a consultant working at the New York office of PSFK. His background is in analysis, from the analysis of cultural and technological change, to analysis of consumer and human insight, to military intelligence analysis with the US Intelligence and Security Command. Kyle loves the future, much like O'Brien from Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four.
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| TOPICS: | Design & Architecture, Environmental / Green, Science |
| TAGS: | Green Technology, hydrogel, plastic |
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