Technologies in Environment-
Absorbent Moldable Gel
Introduction
A new gel material has been developed
that is capable of absorbing up to 1,000 times its volume
of water. The material is elastic like rubber and hard
to break. Developed in a joint project between researchers
at the University of Tokyo and Japan Science and Technology
Corporation, the material is a transparent semi-solid
gel made from cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol.
These two substances are biocompatible, so the material
can be used for contact lenses and various medical applications.
Contact lenses made of the gel, with some 80% water
content, will be more permeable to oxygen and friendlier
to the eyes than conventional products, the researchers
said. It can also be made into sandbags to help prevent
flooding. The material is comprised of cyclodextrin
and polyethylene glycol molecules linked to form a three-dimensional
meshwork. As the gel absorbs water, each mesh widens
and the gel enlarges without disrupting the overall
structure of the material. The gel is semi-solid, so
it can be easily processed into desired shapes by pouring
it into a mold and applying heat.
Contact for
more information Science & Technology Wing Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97,
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail: tandonus@hotmail.com
