A common hydrogel may be built differently than assumed, with big implications for mechanics

A study led by Northwestern University researchers has reported a way to observe hydrogel nano and microstructure while the hydrogel remains fully solvated. The approach reveals that methylcellulose, one of the most widely used hydrogel-forming materials in biomedical research and consumer products, organizes itself into a structural architecture that standard characterization techniques have not been able to visualize.