Tough hydrogel-coated containment capsule of magnetic liquid metal for remote gastrointestinal operation.

ABSTRACT: Gallium-based liquid metals, when combined with magnetic agents, emerge as intelligent materials with potential applications in soft robotics within biomedical engineering. However, concerns have arisen from the residual presence of liquid metal, raising long-term biological risks. Herein, we propose a containment method that involves the rolling of magnetic liquid-metal droplets in lyophilized powders, resulting in the formation of intact hydrogel coatings upon hydration. These hydrogel coatings adhere to the liquid-metal surface, forming a cohesive network through hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid groups and siloxane linkages from silanol groups. This synergy of physical and chemical interactions enables hydrogel coatings with exceptional stretchability, fracture energy and interf

SUBMITTER: Shen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11892562 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature