What Does a Brain Feel Like?

• Zhengchu Tan ^[1] ; James P. Ewen ^[1] ; Antonio E. Forte ^[2] ; Stefano Galvan ^[1] ; Elena De Momi ^[3] ; Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena ^[1] ; Daniele Dini ^[1]
  1. [1] Imperial College London

     Imperial College London

     Reino Unido

     
  2. [2] Harvard University

     Harvard University

     City of Cambridge, Estados Unidos

     
  3. [3] Polytechnic University of Milan

     Polytechnic University of Milan

     Milán, Italia

     

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 97, Nº 11, 2020, págs. 4078-4083
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • We present a two-part hands-on science outreach demonstration utilizing composite hydrogels to produce realistic models of the human brain. The blends of poly(vinyl alcohol) and Phytagel closely match the mechanical properties of real brain tissue under conditions representative of surgical operations. The composite hydrogel is simple to prepare, biocompatible, and nontoxic, and the required materials are widely available and inexpensive. The first part of the demonstration gives participants the opportunity to feel how soft and deformable our brains are. The second part allows students to perform a mock brain surgery on a simulated tumor. The demonstration tools are suitable for public engagement activities as well as for various student training groups. The activities encompass concepts in polymer chemistry, materials science, and biology.