Groundbreaking Slime-Like Material Generates Electricity
A team of researchers from the University of Guelph (U of G) has created a unique slime-like substance capable of generating electrical energy when compressed. While utilizing the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan for their research, they uncovered various promising applications for this innovative material.
Versatile Applications in Everyday Life
When integrated into flooring systems, this novel material could harness energy generated by foot traffic to produce clean electricity. Additionally, it holds potential as an ingrain within shoe insoles to conduct gait analysis effectively.
Lead investigator Erica Pensini envisions further possibilities: “Our material might serve as a foundation for synthetic skin that enables robots to better gauge pressure while detecting human pulses,” she explains.
A Closer Look at Material Behavior
The synchrotron acts like an advanced microscope, according to Pensini; it enabled precise observation revealing how application of an electric field can alter the crystalline composition of their slime-like material.
Pensini and her colleagues discovered that this “slime” can adopt multiple microscopic configurations—whether taking on a sponge-like structure or layering like lasagna and forming distinct hexagonal patterns—through collaborative efforts with U of G professors Alejandro G. Marangoni, Aicheng Chen, and Stefano Gregori.
Revolutionizing Medical Treatments
This multifunctionality opens avenues for targeted drug delivery within patients’ bodies—a revolutionary approach in pharmaceuticals! Imagine beginning with a configuration encased in medicine that morphs upon activating with electricity to release its therapeutic components,” remarked Pensini.
Sustainability through Composition
The prototype consists primarily of natural materials well-tolerated by human physiology—in fact, 90% water combined with oleic acid sourced from olive oil and essential amino acids templates used for protein synthesis in humans ensures safety during application or contact with skin.” I aimed to develop something completely safe—a product I’d use without hesitation,” Pensini adds.
Credit: Journal of Molecular Liquids (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2024.126823
Enhancing Healing Processes
This innovative substance also presents opportunities in wound care technology—biological healing is often supported by subtle electric fields naturally generated around injuries according to previous studies.” Creating bandages infused with our substance could theoretically increase these existing electric fields aiding quicker recovery processes,” Pensini notes further emphasizing practical impacts on healthcare solutions!
Pensini’s Personal Connection to Innovation
Pensini expresses enthusiasm regarding unveiling potential opportunities related directly back toward her climactic endeavors & plans saying “I’m personally aiming towards applying it even as daily lotion post-rock climbing sessions.” She humorously admits being its primary test subject so far!
Innovation-rich slime generating electricity could benefit dynamic settings including footwear & environments promoting progression was detailed February 6th stating implications profusely wrapped up; retrieve full article content here: Explore more!
Date accessed : February 7th ,2019
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