Scientists study flexible materials to aid in wound repair

Researchers are testing ways to print flexible materials that they envision could attach to organs, like the heart, as adhesives. Future uses of these hydrogels may include helping tissues heal or repair, such as after a heart attack, delivering therapies, or serving as biomedical devices. 

Similar to a bandage, the materials studied were able to group together and contained sticky and slippery surfaces for adhesion and removal. The researchers envision that future models could also be developed to sense and monitor the health of organs and systems. 

The research was partially supported by NHLBI and published in Science.