Researchers at PSI and the University of Barcelona have successfully explained the peculiar behavior of microgels through neutron beam measurements. The researchers have confirmed their 2016 hypothesis, which attributes this phenomenon to the arrangement of positively charged counterions forming a cloud around the negatively charged microgel. This breakthrough understanding of microgel behavior opens up new opportunities for applications in materials and pharmaceutical research. Tailored microgels can find use in various industries, including oil, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, where they can be employed to adjust viscosity, provide desired consistency in creams, and act as smart carriers for drug delivery.

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