Nature Communications · 22 August 2026 · From issue 25
Soft microgel networks stabilize and extend nozzle-free water jets
Soft gel particles stretched sound-driven water jets up to 44% longer before breaking.
Atieh Razavi, Mehrzad Roudini et al.
Adding tiny soft gel particles to water can make a fast, thin jet of liquid stretch much farther before it breaks apart. These particles link together at the water's surface into a stretchy web. The web holds the jet together longer. Softer particles kept this web intact. Stiffer particles broke apart under stress, so the jet snapped sooner. Computer models showed the soft particles form tangled bridges. These bridges lower the water's surface tension and let it stretch more.
The increase in jet length when soft gel particles were added to the water.
Lab and simulation only, no real device tested yet.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 23 August 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Nature Communications). Read the source
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