Electrically conductive hydrogel stretches limits of capability

Developed by researchers at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) in Saudi Arabia, the material is claimed to take stretchability, self-healing and strain sensitivity to new limits.

"Our material outperforms all previously reported hydrogels and introduces new functionalities," said Husam Alshareef, professor of materials science and engineering at KAUST.

The research is published in Science Advances.

Smart materials that flex, sense and stretch like human skin could have many applications including biodegradable patches that help wounds heal to wearable electronics and touch-sensitive robotic devices.

The material - a composite of hydrogel and MXene metal-carbide – can stretch by more than 3400 per cent and quickly return to its original form. It also adheres to a number of surfaces, including skin. When cut into pieces, it can quickly mend itself upon reattachment.

"The material's differing sensitivity to stretching and compression is a breakthrough discovery that adds a new dimension to the sensing capability of hydrogels," said first author, Yizhou Zhang, a postdoc in Alshareef's lab.