Hydrogels: From small molecules to soft materials
Hydrogels are functional materials, used in applications from healthcare to home and personal care products. Most commercial hydrogels are polymeric displaying polydispersity and irreversible gelation. Hydrogels can also form by self-assembly of low molecular weight molecules (hydrogelators) which can be readily modified (e.g. for alternative gelation triggers) and have reversible gelation. These features provide significant promise for tailored application. Our research involves the identification and development of novel hydrogelators, many of which are aromatic carbohydrate amphiphiles which are composed of biocompatible motifs.
Hydrogels are functional materials, used in applications from healthcare to home and personal care products. Most commercial hydrogels are polymeric displaying polydispersity and irreversible gelation. Hydrogels can also form by self-assembly of low molecular weight molecules (hydrogelators) which can be readily modified (e.g. for alternative gelation triggers) and have reversible gelation. These features provide significant promise for tailored application. Our research involves the identification and development of novel hydrogelators, many of which are aromatic carbohydrate amphiphiles which are composed of biocompatible motifs.
