Hydrogel-Printed Objects Controlled by Temperature

Feb-06-18 A 3D-printed hydrogel that responds to temperature changes could have applications ranging from medicine to robotics.

The gel, developed by a team from Rutgers University, was used in a special resin along with a binder chemical, a chemical that promotes binding when struck by light, and a dye that controls light penetration. The hydrogel will absorb water at temperatures below 90°F, causing the object to increase in size, while temperatures over 90°F will release the water and cause the object to shrink.

According to the team, the temperature-triggered hydrogel structures could be used to deliver medications in the body, develop a new kind of soft robotics, and provide a rigid form for organs like the lungs.

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