Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove microplastics from water.
- The sustainable hydrogel designed by the researchers has a unique intertwined polymer network that can bind the contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation.
Hydrogel
- Hydrogel is a polymeric material that exhibits the ability to swell and retain a significant fraction of water within its structure, but will not dissolve in water.
- Liquid water trapped in tangled polymers gives this material strangely useful properties.
- Hydrogels are used for many medical and scientific applications, and scientists constantly push the boundaries to uncover new uses.
- Their ability to absorb water up to 99% of their volume makes them soft and flexible, like a contact lens, or highly absorbent.
- Hydrogel wound dressings promote healing, provide moisture, and offer pain relief with their cool, high water content.
- Its uses include: Drug-delivery systems, Water absorbers, Impact protectors.
