Mechanoresponsive self-growing hydrogels inspired by muscle training

Working harder, getting stronger Self-healing polymers attempt to restore mechanical strength after deformation. Polymer gels tend to be too soft for this to occur. Matsuda et al. generated self-healing hydrogels composed of a double-network material (see the Perspective by Craig). A mechanical stress breaks the more brittle of the two networks, while the other retains stability. On breakage, the fractured chains create radical initiators that...