Nanogels /Microgels
“Nanogel (microgel) is a term used to describe any mixture of nano-sized particles or fibers with a gel, usually protein-based. They have the ability to cross into the cells of living organisms.” (Wikipedia, Nanogel, 5/19/2011)
Recent Journal Articles
Microgel applications and commercial considerations
(625-646) Colloid and Polymer Science 289 #5-6 (2011)
Thorne, Vine and Snowden reviewed applications of microgel particles that are synthesized by polymerisation, are of colloidal size and exhibit conformational changes in response to changes in environmental conditions. A selected range of areas will be covered and the commercial implications of scaling up the production of microgels for such purposes will be discussed. A brief description of the characteristics of microgel particles is followed by discussion of applications such as enhanced oil recovery, biomaterials and catalysis, before issues of commercialising microgel production are considered. The term microgel has been used interchangeably with terms such as nanogel, microsphere and macrogel. (RDC 5/17/2011)