Biomaterials engineers have created a “superstructure” hydrogel that could be an eco-friendly tool used in medical technologies and as a recovery aid for surgical procedures. The research is published in the journal Macromolecular Rapid Communications.

University of Queensland researcher Cole Walchle discovered the gel material while experimenting on an existing bioplastic and said it was a strong candidate for use in tissue engineering, wound recovery, drug delivery and as a specialty coating or lubricant.

“Crucially, the hydrogel is derived from a bio-derived and biodegradable polymer that—while promising itself—is too brittle to be commercially viable,” said Walchle, a Ph.D. student with UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering.