Research Research Projects Artificial biomaterials: strong and self-healing polymer materials This project will develop these materials for biological applications, for example as an artificial skin (below). school Student intakeThis project is open for Honours, Master, PhD and Summer scholar students. group Group Groups Connal Group label Research theme Research themes Energy, Environment and Green Chemistry traffic Project status Project status Potential Contact contact_support Contact Contact name Luke Connal Contact position Group Leader Contact email luke.connal@anu.edu.au Content navigation toc About Biomaterials, for example bone and skin have a remarkable capacity to self-heal. These natural materials are hydrogels, however synthetic hydrogels cannot perform the same task as they are inherently weak and not usually self-healing. We will develop a new class of hydrogels that can provide the same function as natural tissues. In collaboration with the A/Prof Li at the ANU Medical School the Connal group is developing new bioinspired materials for applications as skin, ligament and cartilage replacement therapies. We have prepared a range of new polymer materials that display high strength and are also self-healing. This project will develop these materials for biological applications, for example as an artificial skin (below). Image