Programmable Self-Assembling Soft Matter
Molecules and polymers designed to assemble, depolymerise or reconfigure on command produce synthetic cells, bioactive fibres, recyclable and stimulus-responsive materials whose structure is programmed rather than machined.
Developed mainly in: United States, United Kingdom and JapanImpacting: Europe and North America
A Northwestern team led by Samuel Stupp reports in Science the synthesis of self-assembling supramolecular polymers exceeding a cell diameter in length, roughly 100 times more massive than large conventional polymers, with controllable lengths and chemically distinct oppositely charged segments. In cell culture, the fibers markedly increased neuron growth and electrical activity.
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24 May 2026 · score 7.0/10
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Tracked from 5 signals, each traced to its source.
- Self-assembling molecular fibers built to set lengths boost neuron activity
News · 2 Oct 2026
- UV-triggered foaming turns commodity polymers into pigment-free white superhydrophobic solid
Chemistryworld · 21 Sept 2026
- University of Surrey Engineers Create Self-Reassembling Polymer That Vaporises Under Heat
Sciencealert · 24 Aug 2026
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