How Spheres Become Worms

A previously unknown form of hydrogel formation has been elucidated: chemists found unusual interactions between polymers. Hydrogels? Many people use these substances without knowing it. As superabsorbents in nappies, for example, hydrogels absorb a lot of liquid. In the process, the initially dry material becomes Jelly-like, but it does not wet. Some people place the swellable material on their eyeballs - soft contact lenses are also just hydrogels. The same goes for jelly and other everyday materials. Hydrogels also play a role in science.