Hokkaido University researchers in
Japan are investigating a 'smart'
material that could be useful in bio-medical applications.
Hydrogels -a cross-linked
polymer network filled with
water molecules -can show 'shape
memory'. The gel which can be
deformed at low temperatures, can
revert to its original shape when
heated above 50C. Unlike metals
with shape memory, the hydrogels
promise to be compatible with
biological tissue, and may be used
in making thermally-responsive
valves or temperature-activated
surgical lamps.
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