Fungal chitin used to create stronger hydrogels for medical devices and soft robots

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in collaboration with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville have developed a new class of hydrogels by incorporating chitin, a natural polymer derived from fungal cell walls. The resulting material exhibits markedly higher strength and toughness compared with conventional hydrogels, according to a study released this week. The breakthrough demonstrates that biologically sourced chitin can be engineered into a versatile, high‑performance scaffold that retains the desirable water‑absorbing properties of hydrogels while overcoming many of their mechanical limitations.

The team’s approach involved chemically treating the chitin to improve its compatibility with hydrogel matrices, then cross‑linking the modified polymer with standard hydrogel-forming agents. Mechanical testing revealed a significant increase in tensile strength and resistance to deformation, suggesting that the new hydrogels can better withstand the stresses encountered in biomedical and industrial environments. Experts anticipate that these tougher hydrogels could be used to fabricate safer, more durable medical devices—such as implants and drug‑delivery systems—as well as longer‑lasting protective coatings for consumer electronics and infrastructure.

If the material can be produced at scale, it may open pathways to a range of applications that benefit from both the biocompatibility of chitin and the functional versatility of hydrogels. The research team is now exploring integration into wound‑healing dressings, flexible sensors, and environmentally friendly packaging, with the goal of translating the laboratory findings into products that enhance everyday technology and health‑care outcomes.