The Flexible Materials Fixing Medicine and the Environment

What if the future of medicine, farming, and clean water relied on a material that's mostly water? Meet hydrogels—soft, flexible, and powerful materials that mimic living tissue and hold up to 99% of their weight in water. From healing wounds and powering biocompatible implants to revolutionizing agriculture and pulling drinking water from thin air, hydrogels are transforming how we tackle some of the planet’s biggest challenges. At MIT and beyond, researchers are scaling these futuristic materials to create smarter sensors, greener tech, and more sustainable systems—all inspired by nature’s own design.