Revolutionary Method for Gluing Gels and Biological Tissues

Researchers have discovered an efficient and easy-to-use method for bonding together gels and biological tissues. A team headed by Ludwik Leibler, involving researchers from the Laboratoire Matiere Molle et Chimie (CNRS/ESPCI ParisTech) and the Laboratoire Physico-Chimie des Polymeres et Milieux Dispersés (CNRS/ UPMC/ESPCI ParisTech), has succeeded in obtaining very strong adhesion between two gels by spreading on their surface a solution containing nanoparticles.

Until now, there was no entirely satisfactory method of obtaining adhesion between two gels or two biological tissues. Published online in Nature on 11 December 2013, this work could pave the way for numerous medical and industrial applications.

Gels are materials that are mainly composed of a liquid, for example water, dispersed in a molecular network that gives them their solidity. Examples of gels in our everyday lives are numerous: gelatin used in desserts, redcurrant jelly, contact lenses or the absorbent part of children's nappies. Biological tissues such as skin, muscles and organs have strong similarities with gels but, until now, gluing these soft and slippery liquid-filled materials using adhesives normally composed of polymers was a seemingly impossible task.

Leibler is recognized for inventing completely original materials combining real industrial interest with profound theoretical concepts. The work he carried out in collaboration with Alba Marcellan and their colleagues at the Laboratoire Mati?re Molle et Chimie (CNRS/ESPCI ParisTech) and the Laboratoire Physico-Chimie des Polym?res et Milieux Dispersés (CNRS/ UPMC/ESPCI ParisTech) has resulted in a novel idea: gluing gels together by spreading a solution of nanoparticles on their surface.