MIT researchers create breathable hydrogel for improved wound care

A research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has engineered a hydrogel that incorporates microscopic air channels, allowing oxygen to pass through while preserving its high water content. By adding a small amount of hydrophobic silica‑aerogel particles, the gel forms a network of narrow tunnels that enable airflow without compromising its softness. Laboratory tests showed the material maintains oxygen permeability within 5 % after 10 000 cycles of stretch and compression. In clinical‑style trials, the hydrogel provided stable electro‑cardiogram signals and caused no skin irritation over a ten‑day wear period. The researchers suggest the technology could be applied to breathable wound dressings, cosmetic face masks, oxygen‑permeable contact lenses, long‑term wearable health monitors and biocompatible implants. The findings were published in the journal *Nature*.