Hydrogel opals, exhibiting striking iridescence while being soft and gelatinous, can be synthesized by covalent bonding (through crosslinkers) of self-assembled hydrogel nanoparticles, which consist of N-isopropyl-acrylamide copolymers with reactive side groups. Beyond their aesthetic value (see Figure and also cover) hydrogel opals are potentially useful as thermo- or electrochromic gel sensors.
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Hu et al. (2001) studied this question.
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