gelast

Gelast is a neologism used in speculative materials science to describe a class of soft materials that combine the gel-like internal architecture with elastic recovery under load. In this concept, a gelast comprises a polymer gel network swollen with fluid, capable of large deformations while maintaining the ability to rebound toward its initial form when stress is removed.

Origin and usage: The term is not standardized and does not appear as a widely adopted category in mainstream peer‑reviewed literature. It has appeared mainly in theoretical discussions and in science fiction–inspired texts to illustrate materials that blend the properties of gels and elastomers.

Characteristics: Gelasts are imagined to feature dynamic crosslinks that can reform after strain, allowing self-healing and tunable stiffness. They would balance viscosity and elasticity to enable controlled damping, shape programming, and reversible actuation. Temperature, solvent content, and crosslink density are described as key levers for their behavior.

Applications and challenges: In theory, gelasts could support soft robotics, biomedical devices, and flexible electronics that require gentle contact with tissues and adaptive stiffness. Practical challenges include achieving reliable long-term stability, reproducible processing, aging effects, and environmental sensitivity in real-world conditions.

See also: Hydrogel, Elastomer, Viscoelasticity, Gel polymer networks.