Material scientists reconfigure gels using only light   Material
scientists have managed to move and reconfigure a type of gel
using only light.  A research team from the University of
Pittsburgh has demonstrated the ability to manipulate hydrogels
-- the material that most contact lenses are made out of -- and
has published their work in Advanced Functional Materials.  Lead
author Anna Balazs, a Pitt Distinguished Professor of Chemical
and Petroleum Engineering, explains: "Imagine an apartment with
a particular arrangement of rooms all in one location. Now,
consider the possibility of being able to shine a particular
configuration of lights on this structure and thereby completely
changing not only the entire layout, but also the location of
the apartment. This is what we've demonstrated with hydrogels."
Balazs worked with associate professor Olga Kuksenok to explore
the behaviour of a type of hydrogel containing spirobenzopyran
molecules. Previous studies have shown that this sort of
material has the extra