Reinforced hydrogels prove stronger than steel

Researchers at Hokkaido University in Japan have developed a new material that is 25 times tougher than glass fiber fabric, 100 times tougher than hydrogels, and five times stronger than carbon steel, based on the amount of energy needed to destroy them.

“The fiber-reinforced hydrogels, with a 40 percent water level, are environmentally friendly,” says Dr. Jian Ping Gong in a New Atlas article, “The material has multiple potential applications because of its reliability, durability and flexibility. For example, in addition to fashion and manufacturing uses, it could be used as artificial ligaments and tendons, which are subject to strong load-bearing tensions.”