A team of researchers at NC State has high hopes their creation could lead to much larger innovations. They've developed a simple memory device, a primitive version of what you'd find in your computer. Except this one is made of a Jell-O-like substance. It's soft and squishy and can function underwater. Michael Dickey is an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at NC State. He says the device is notable not just because of its mechanical properties.
Micahel Dickey: "But also because the materials that we use are compatible with a lot of biological species like cells and tissue and enzymes. The technology holds promise for integrating electronics with biology. "
That means potential advances in everything from biomedical devices to the gadgets we use every day. The study is published in an online edition of Advanced Materials.