Gel is a Comprehensive State of Matters
摘要
Materials consisting of polymer network and fluid is called polymer gel(in case of water: hydrogel). They are swollen like jelly or agar and soft and wet. Living organisms are largely consisting of hydrogels. They show a variety of unique properties and behaviors which cannot be observed by solid and liquid. In this chapter, unique properties of the gel are introduced and their basic mechanism is explained. Brief history of gel science and the classification of gels are also described.