Novel Hydrogel Beads and Fiber

Robin Wright, 3M

Abstract: Hydrogels are a class of gels formed from cross linked hydrophilic polymers in an aqueous medium. Many contain acrylic acid or its sodium salt making them sensitive to pH, salt content, and temperature. We have discovered a UV process to make novel hydrogel beads and fiber at high speed in near quantitative yield. The resulting hydrogels can contain up to 75% water and can be used in a variety of conventional and non-conventional ways.