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Submission + - Self-propelled robotic polymer gels (newscientist.com)

spads writes: So far stimuli-responsive polymer gels and their application to smart materials have been widely studied; this research has contributed to progress in gel science and engineering. For their development as a novel biomimetic polymer, studies of polymers with an autonomous self-oscillating function have been carried out since the first reports in 1996. The development of novel self-oscillating polymers and gels have been successful utilizing the oscillating reaction, called the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which is recognized as a chemical model for understanding several autonomous phenomena in biological systems. The self-oscillating polymer is composed of a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) network in which the catalyst for the BZ reaction is covalently immobilized. In the presence of the reactants, the polymer undergoes spontaneous cyclic soluble–insoluble changes or swelling–deswelling changes (in the case of gel) without any on–off switching of external stimuli. Potential applications of the self-socillating polymers and gels include several kinds of functional material systems, such as biomimetic actuators and mass transport surface.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.co...
https://www.reddit.com/r/chemi...

Comment Re:womp womp (Score 1) 110

Certainly, Putin is "something" of a baddy-waddy, but it's not so cut and dried over there as a lot would like to think. See Oliver Stone's (produced) "Ukraine on Fire" documentary, to get a sense of Ukraine's tortured (recent) past. The US was really instrumental in a political coup which resulted in some extreme right, true (Neo/olden-) Nazis taking power, supplanting what had been a more duly elected (admittedly, Russian backed) administration. That country has had a seriously challenged/troubled past. Very interesting. Admittedly, Stone also harbors some Putin sympathies, for example - his extended interview. And as bad as Putin is, the US and the West has gone to great lengths to squeeze the living shit out of him.

Comment Re:Fuck that woke shit hole! (Score 2, Insightful) 11

It's the biggest one of a concept that is pure gold. Because of all the work of great contributors over the years, there is definite treasure, but the moderation now is the worst of that type of shit. Almost makes you want to burn the ship to get rid of the rats. Just glad Aaron Swartz didn't see what's become of it.

Comment Re: The more compelling the reason(s) we accept fo (Score 1) 193

Imminent threats (high risk of death) have to be viewed differently. Always needs a costs/benefits analysis. Any time spent in full avoidance ("hiding") is a complete loss of (that) life. You have to weigh that against the risk of complete complete loss of life by venturing out and being stricken by the threat. Just because it seems like you can afford that avoidance (due to accrued reserves, etc.) doesn't mean your soul can afford the implications of surrender. Struggle is imperative, and that is nearing extinction for many as it is.

Regarding this (paradox), consider Poe's Masque of the Red Death. There simply is no escaping it.

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