{
  "abstract": "A covalent polymer network is orders of magnitude weaker than individual covalent bonds. This large gap reveals an unrealized potential. The weakness of a network comes not from individual covalent bonds, but from how they are connected. Here we unlock this potential by identifying a topological criterion, involving optimally sparse crosslinks, long chains, and dense entanglements. Optimizing each topological variable alone is insufficient for high strength, yet exceptional strength emerges when they are combined within a narrow regime. We describe the physics of this synergy, and use the criterion to strengthen networks widely used but known to be weak. For example, we prepare a polyacrylamide hydrogel of 90 wt% water, amplifying strength from a commonly reported value of ~0.1 MPa to ~6.5 MPa. The exceptional strength is achieved without sacrificing other properties, such as softness, toughness, and elasticity. The criterion establishes topology as a general design principle for strong polymer networks.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.15552",
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Zheqi Chen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yu Zhou"
    },
    {
      "name": "Chenghai Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ho Cheung Shum"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zhigang Suo"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1jx5ggs1jwtp1.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.15552",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "1jx5ggs1jwtp1",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.15552",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "LicenseRef-arXiv-nonexclusive-1.0",
  "licence_label": "arXiv licence",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.mtrl-sci"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.soft"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "physics.app-ph"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1313|Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221758303",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.15552",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-11",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1jx5ggs1jwtp1.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:29:06Z",
      "native_id": "2610.15552",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.15552"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:physics.app-ph",
      "subfield": "applied-instrumentation"
    },
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.mtrl-sci",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Unlocking the potential of polymer networks for high strength through topology",
  "title_text": "Unlocking the potential of polymer networks for high strength through topology",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:29:06Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1jx5ggs1jwtp1",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}