Representative image. Katelin Kinney/iStock
A team of researchers at the University of Guelph has made a significant breakthrough with a novel slime-like material capable of generating electricity when subjected to compression.
Their findings, revealed during experiments using the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan, highlight the material’s diverse potential applications.
The unique material may be incorporated into flooring systems, allowing it to generate clean energy when walked upon.
Walking could generate electricity
Lead researcher Erica Pensini suggests it can enhance shoe insoles by providing data on a person’s gait.
Furthermore, the technology could serve as a foundation for synthetic skin, equipping robots to sense the appropriate pressure for checking a patient’s pulse.
“The synchrotron acts as an advanced microscope that enables us to observe changes at a microscopic level,” Pensini explained.
“When an electric field is applied, it delivers insights into how the crystalline structure of this material transitions.”
As an associate professor at the University of Guelph, Pensini and her team discovered that this “slime” can morph into various microscopic structures.
They observed that it could either take on a sponge-like configuration, stack in layers reminiscent of lasagna or adopt a hexagonal shape.
This ability to change form could provide new methods for targeted drug delivery in the medical field.
“Picture using this material to encapsulate a pharmaceutical compound,” Pensini added, “then apply an electric field to trigger the release of the medication.”
The team’s prototype consists primarily of natural substances, making it highly biocompatible.
It is composed of 90% water and oleic acid, found in olive oil, and amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins in the body.
“I aimed to create something entirely safe; I would feel comfortable applying it to my skin without hesitation,” she commented.
New slime
Additionally, the material shows promise for use in advanced bandage designs that could facilitate healing.
Pensini noted, “The human body naturally generates small electric fields to attract healing cells to injuries. We might expedite the healing process by deploying a bandage that amplifies this electric field. Our natural movements and breathing could activate the bandage, further enhancing its effectiveness.”
The prospect of using this slime-like material in therapeutic applications has Pensini and her colleagues exploring various ideas.
In particular, the research team is intrigued by how this technology may advance medicine and robotics.
Beyond clinical applications, Pensini is already thinking of practical uses for herself.
After rock climbing, she plans to test the material as a hand salve. “I need to be the initial test subject; why not start with myself?” she remarked jokingly.
Though the material is still in the prototype phase, the researchers are optimistic about its potential.
The implications of their findings could extend far beyond mere novelty, influencing areas such as energy generation, healthcare, and robotics.
As the team continues its research, the exciting possibilities of this material signal a potential shift in how we think about energy harvesting and medical technology.
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The University of Guelph’s work in this area exemplifies the innovative spirit of contemporary research, combining elements of science and practicality to address real-world problems.
Further tests will likely reveal even more uses for this groundbreaking slime-like material, captured through the lens of curiosity and scientific inquiry.
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Kapil Kajal Kapil Kajal is an award-winning journalist with a diverse portfolio spanning defense, politics, technology, crime, environment, human rights, and foreign policy. His work has been featured in publications such as Janes, National Geographic, Al Jazeera, Rest of World, Mongabay, and Nikkei. Kapil holds a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communication Engineering and a master’s diploma in journalism from the Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore.
