Looks Like Jello, Works Like Cartilage

The research builds on a 2003 study from the lab of study collaborator Jian-Ping Gong at Hokkaido University in Japan.

Since it is resistant to the build-up of proteins, the hydrogel could also be used for contact lenses and artificial corneas, among other applications.

Studies in animals have proved promising, but there are currently no clinical trials underway to evaluate the hydrogel's use in humans.

"It's an excellent material, very tough," said Curt Frank, a scientist at Stanford University who works on hydrogels but was not involved in the NIST work.

"The hydrogel's properties are very comparable to human tissues and have the potential to create a device that could replace human tissue," he said.

The research was presented at the March meeting of the American Physical Society.

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Eric Bland's blog: What the Tech?

How Stuff Works: How Biomechatronics Works

National Institute of Standards and Technology