Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Computer Simulations of Soft Responsive Gels with Embedded Regular Arrangements of Stiff Fibers.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2026

Same author

Chemical signaling in reaction networks generates corresponding mechanical impulses.

PNAS nexus·2025

Same author

Controlling the Dynamic Behavior of Microposts in Solution via Diffusion-Convection.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025

Same author

Fluid mediated communication among flexible micro-posts in chemically reactive solutions.

Materials horizons·2024

Same author

Programming Fluid Motion Using Multi-Enzyme Micropump Systems.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2024

Same author

Interplay of Luminophores and Photoinitiators during Synthesis of Bulk and Patterned Luminescent Photopolymer Blends.

ACS applied polymer materials·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Light-mediated Formation and Patterning of Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Light-mediated Formation and Patterning of Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Published on: September 29, 2016

A functionally complete logic gate in a soft photoresponsive hydrogel.

Fariha Mahmood¹, Victor V Yashin², Anna C Balazs²

¹Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Nature Communications

|November 14, 2025

Summary

Researchers developed a novel NAND logic gate using light-interacting beams in a photoresponsive hydrogel. This breakthrough enables soft materials to perform autonomous computations, paving the way for advanced robotics and therapeutics.

More Related Videos

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components

Published on: July 18, 2018

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots

Published on: January 13, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Light-mediated Formation and Patterning of Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Light-mediated Formation and Patterning of Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Published on: September 29, 2016

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components

Published on: July 18, 2018

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots

Four-Dimensional Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Soft Robots

Published on: January 13, 2023

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Optics
Soft Robotics

Background:

Computing materials are crucial for soft robotics and therapeutics.
Existing materials often lack autonomous computational capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

To create a functional NAND logic gate using self-trapped light beams in a photoresponsive hydrogel.
To explore the potential for autonomous computation in soft materials.

Main Methods:

Utilized three self-trapped beams in a photoresponsive hydrogel.
Exploited light-induced refractive index changes (Δn) and localized contraction for beam interaction.
Demonstrated NAND gate functionality based on geometry-dependent inhibition of self-trapping.

Main Results:

Successfully implemented a NAND gate where output is 0 only when both inputs are 1.
Demonstrated sequential chaining of two and twelve NAND operations.
Proposed a method for multiple, simultaneous operations within a single hydrogel system.

Conclusions:

The developed hydrogel system exhibits autonomous computational functionality.
This research opens new avenues for creating intelligent soft materials.
Potential applications span advanced robotics, adaptive therapeutics, and beyond.