Tag: Hydrogels

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can hold hundreds of times their own weight in water, a property that makes them vital in products ranging from diapers to agricultural soil amendments. Finding the right material to absorb water more effectively depends heavily on the specific application, whether you need to clean up a liquid spill, improve soil hydration, or use it in other industrial processes.

The term 'gel' was coined in the 19th century by Scottish chemist Thomas Graham to describe a semi-solid material, and understanding what are the ingredients in gels is key to appreciating their diverse properties. Gels are primarily liquids that exhibit solid-like behavior, a unique characteristic made possible by specific gelling agents and additional ingredients.

Over 500 different amino acids exist in nature, yet in gels, these organic compounds perform an incredibly diverse and specialized set of functions, ranging from building new proteins to forming complex structural networks. Far from being a simple additive, what do amino acids in gels do depends heavily on the gel's intended application, from nutritional supplements to advanced biomedical materials.