Source: Image courtesy of Yuanjin Zhao. Biocompatible, jelly-like materials that can repair themselves without losing their colour could find uses in photonics or biomedicine. The hydrogel can display structural colours and can self heal too, but uniquely this material doesn’t lose its structural colour when damaged. Scientists in China have created hydrogels that show self-repairing properties combined with lasting structural colours. This new class of material could be used for tissue engineering or to build photonic integrated circuits and biosensors. Many organisms – including birds, butterflies and beetles – display structural colours. These arise when light rays are scattered by tiny structures and then interfere with one another at certain wavelengths. This natural phenomenon has inspired researchers to create materials with similar optical properties. Hydrogels with structural colour have been made, but everyday use can damage these materials. If they could heal themselves that would be a solution, but it is challenging to retain their colours after healing. Continue reading →