Flexible gel that is 5 times stronger than steel

Japanese scientists have developed a new gel that is as durable as metal but retains its softness.

The research team at the University of Hokkaido, Japan, took three years of manufacturing synthetic material combination hydrogel (used in contact lenses or plastic jelly toys) and fiberglass, CNN reported today. Although it looks like a gauze bandage, the material is modified to achieve five times the strength of carbon steel.

The special combination of ingredients helps optimize the elasticity of the material, making the product 100 times longer than the hydrogel and 25 times more fiberglass, according to the amount of energy required to destroy it. "This is the softest material ever created," said Professor Jian Ping Gong, lead researcher.

According to Gong, the new fiberglass reinforced hydrogel helps create biological materials such as artificial organs and prostheses, which can be affected daily. "This material can be used as a biological replacement, such as cartilage or artificial thickets and many other organs," Gong said.

Other uses of the gel include sportswear, helmets and bulletproof jerseys. "I believe the material is very bulletproof , " Gong said.

The scientists tested the strength of the new gel material. (Video: CNN).

Gong's research team is still working on improving the technology. They are also collaborating with many companies in the field of cartilage to bring the product to market.