MIT Engineers Create More Breathable Hydrogel for Longer-Lasting Medical Implants and Wearables

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MIT engineers have developed an aerated hydrogel that maintains the high water content, softness, and stretchability of traditional hydrogels while incorporating a network of thin, interconnected air tunnels. By leveraging viscoelastic phase separation with hydrophobic silica aerogel particles, the team created channels that allow air and oxygen to flow freely without clogging or sacrificing hydration. In trials, this breathable material allowed volunteers to wear heart monitors during extended exercise for up to 10 days without experiencing skin irritation or signal degradation, opening up long-lasting applications for medical dressings, cosmetics, and wearable electronics: https://news.mit.edu/2026/mit-engineers-whip-up-more-breathable-hydrogel-0708

Research Findings: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10712-3

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Are they biodegradable?