Ruthenium ions are used in a new gel that is able to follow the rhythms and patterns of muscles.

The gel can change depending on the level of oxidation in the ruthenium ions and when an oscillating chemical reaction occurs, the gel will shrink and swell periodically depending on the muscles.

Researchers from the Waseda University have developed the polymer gel and the chemical reaction that occurs within the gel makes it react as though it were alive.

The report appears in the Angewandte Chemie journal and the gel is based on the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

Several coupled reactions involving feedback take place meaning that the substances involved in the reaction change their own rate of formation.

As the system changes over time it can develop a sequence and a pattern with the ruthenium ions able to change to varying shapes.

According to the research, a ribbon-shaped piece of gel is set out lengthwise and this is then beings to ripple; this causes a conveyor belt effect, allowing objects to manoeuvre across the gel.



Source:

Researchers Develop Polymer Gel Mimicking Biological Peristaltic Motions, 18/08/08
http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=13339