svällnings

Svällning is a Swedish term that translates to swelling or expansion in English. It refers to an increase in volume of a substance due to the absorption of liquid or gas. This phenomenon is observed in various contexts, particularly in materials science and biology.

In materials science, svällning is a crucial property of certain polymers and gels. When these materials come into contact with a solvent, they absorb the liquid and increase in size. This property is utilized in applications such as absorbent pads, drug delivery systems, and soft robotics. The extent of svällning depends on the material's chemical composition, the solvent used, and environmental factors like temperature and pH.

In biological contexts, svällning can refer to the swelling of tissues due to inflammation or fluid accumulation. This is a common symptom of injury, infection, or certain medical conditions. For example, muscles can swell after strenuous exercise due to micro-tears and subsequent inflammatory responses. In plant biology, seeds undergo svällning when they absorb water, initiating the germination process. This imbibition of water causes the seed coat to soften and the embryo to expand, leading to the emergence of the radicle and plumule. Understanding svällning is essential for diagnosing and treating various medical conditions and for optimizing industrial processes involving absorbent materials.