{
  "abstract": "The strength of a polymer network is orders of magnitude below that of a polymer chain, because the network concentrates high tension in a small fraction of polymer strands. Here we show that the strength of a network can be greatly amplified by recruiting a larger fraction of strands to bear high tension. We develop approaches to fabricate hydrogels of exceptional strength while maintaining low hysteresis. The strength of the hydrogel increases from ~0.05 MPa for a regular network, to ~1 MPa for a highly entangled network, and further to ~10 MPa for a prestretched interpenetrating network. Similar amplifications of strength are achieved for elastomers. Furthermore, experimental data suggest a scaling relation between strength and strand length. This work provides design principles for creating elastic and strong polymer networks.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.11837",
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Yu Zhou"
    },
    {
      "name": "Chenghai Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zheqi Chen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xianyang Bao"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zhigang Suo"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8fpr296psgc9d.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.11837",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "8fpr296psgc9d",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.11837",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.soft"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1313|Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221130973",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.11837",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-08",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8fpr296psgc9d.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:27:54Z",
      "native_id": "2610.11837",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.11837"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.soft",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Elastic polymer networks of exceptional strength by deconcentrating tension",
  "title_text": "Elastic polymer networks of exceptional strength by deconcentrating tension",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:27:54Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8fpr296psgc9d",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}