Nanogel

Nanogel usually refers to a nanoparticle composed of a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer network (hydrogel). Nanogels are most often composed of synthetic polymers or biopolymers which are chemically or physically crosslinked. Nanogels are usually in the tens to hundreds of nanometers in diameter. Like hydrogels, the pores in nanogels can be filled with small molecules or macromolecules, and their properties, such as swelling, degradation, and chemical functionality, can be controlled.

Applications

Potential applications of nanogels include drug delivery agents, nanoactuators, and sensors.

Polyethylene glycol-polyethylenimine (PEG-PEI) nanogels have been used to deliver anti-cancer compounds into cells.

A highly hydrophilic fluorescent nanogel thermometer makes it possible to measure temperatures to within 0.5°C within cells. The cell absorbs water when colder and squeezes the water out as its internal temperature rises; the relative quantity of water masks or exposes the fluorescence of the nanogel.

A nanogel composed of protein molecules in solution can be used to stop bleeding, even in severe gashes. The proteins self-assemble on the nanoscale into a biodegradable gel that can stop bleeding in a few seconds.

Nanogels are not to be confused with Nanogel aerogel, a lightweight thermal insulator.