Scientists have developed a new material based on the skin of a breed of sea slugs which they hope will one day be used to help patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The development of the stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites was influenced by the sea cucumber’s ability to rapidly and reversibly alter the stiffness of their skin.
These “self-assessing polymers” use integrated sensors, which visually indicate stimuli such as mechanical deformation, according to the team.
“The water acts as a chemical switch,” Dr Christoph Weder, a professor at Case Western Reserve University and a member of the team, said.
The importance of water acting as the chemical switch is that the brain is made up of about 75% water.
When water is added, the rigid material switches to a rubber-like state in seconds, and it can change back just as quickly, they said.
The team said they hope the new developments will lead to assistance in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, stroke or spinal cord injuries.By remaining stiff, the material will be able to be implanted easier, after contacting water, it would become flexible again.
“If you look at the tissue of the brain, it is much, much softer than the typical electrode you would implant,” Weder said.
“I think there is a range of applications in the biomedical implant area, such as stents that one could envision to be realized with these materials.”
The new material is formed of a rubber-like polymer and tiny cellulose fibers that add stiffness. They form hydrogen bonds that make the whole material hard wherever they intersect.
“These nanofibers are glued to each other wherever they intersect. If you add water, the water will unglue those intersections,” said Weder. He said the water acts as a hydrogen de-bonding agent.
While boasting the material’s versatility, Weder even hinted at its potential non-medical applications.
“Think of an electrically switchable bulletproof vest that would be comfortable to wear, but that you could switch on to become bulletproof,” he said. “It could be really broadly important.”
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