Headed by Takuzo Aida, a group of researchers from the University of Tokyo and Seoul National University have developed a formula for a plastic material made from water, clay, sodium polyacrylate, and organic components. Made from almost 98 percent water, the resulting hydrogel can be molded while retaining its strength, and its composition creates a plastic gel that “rapidly and completely self-heals when damaged” according to a summary of the research in Nature. While the basic formula yields a transparent gel that is not quite as strong as petroleum-derived plastic, the addition of more clay creates a stronger–although opaque–plastic. Craig Hawker, a professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Materials at US Santa Barbara, feels that the simplicity of the process and its potential range of applications have opened hydrogels as a promising area of exploration for designers and chemists.
Aida’s hydrogel has started to attract attention in the broader media. The research offers an alternative to petroleum-based plastic–a potential way to wean one aspect of our lives off of oil. The simplicity cited by Hawker and the researchers seems to open the way for a great deal of freedom of design and fabrication on the part of users, allowing localized creation and design to suit a wide range of needs.