# Jelly Ice: Innovation That Stays Cool Without Melting. **URL:** \ **Category:** Biotechnology\ **Tags:** chemicals, innovation, chemistry, explore\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/jelly-ice-innovation-that-stays-cool-without-melting/8666 "2025-09-17T20:14:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aadya17](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/aadya17/32/1539_2.png) [@Aadya17](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Aadya17)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/jelly-ice-innovation-that-stays-cool-without-melting/8666/1 "2025-09-17T20:14:51Z")
![Jelly Ice Cube](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/uploads/medbound/original/2X/4/40f774ef5918246eef211eb43f01453157ab26a5.avif) Scientists at **UC Davis** have created a breakthrough cooling material called **jelly ice**. Unlike normal ice, it doesn’t melt into water — instead, it softens and jiggles while still keeping things cold. The research team, led by **Luxin Wang** , wanted to solve a real problem: meltwater from ice in food displays and cold chains can cause contamination. Inspired by frozen tofu, they used **gelatin** to make a **hydrogel** that traps water inside its pores. This design allows jelly ice to go through many freeze–thaw cycles without leaking. 🔬 **Research highlights:** - Made of **90% water + gelatin** , safe and compostable. - Maintains **~80% cooling efficiency** of regular ice. - Can be washed, reused, and molded into different shapes. - Composting jelly ice improved **tomato plant growth** in trials. - Avoids **microplastics** , unlike synthetic ice packs. The team is now working on making jelly ice from plant proteins like soy for even more sustainability. This research shows how **chemistry and food science** can create eco-friendly solutions for food safety, medicine transport, and lab use. 👉 Read more from [UC Davis Researchers Develop Ice Cube That Doesn’t Melt or Grow Mold | UC Davis](https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/uc-davis-jelly-ice-cube-doesnt-melt) MBH/PS ---
**Author:** ![Khelaharichandana](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/khelaharichandana/32/1634_2.png) [@Khelaharichandana](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Khelaharichandana)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/jelly-ice-innovation-that-stays-cool-without-melting/8666/2 "2025-09-18T12:58:10Z")
New to me. Thanks for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![sakshe](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/sakshe/32/1740_2.png) [@sakshe](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/sakshe)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/jelly-ice-innovation-that-stays-cool-without-melting/8666/3 "2025-09-18T16:23:58Z")
This is an innovative idea and can be specially useful for transportation materials that require cold temperature. ---
**Author:** ![Joshni](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/joshni/32/1630_2.png) [@Joshni](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Joshni)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 4:28am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/jelly-ice-innovation-that-stays-cool-without-melting/8666/4 "2025-09-19T04:28:41Z")
New info. ---
**Author:** ![Nosheen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex033/user_avatar/www.medboundhub.com/nosheen/32/1853_2.png) [@Nosheen](https://www.medboundhub.com/u/Nosheen)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://www.medboundhub.com/t/jelly-ice-innovation-that-stays-cool-without-melting/8666/5 "2025-09-19T05:26:16Z")
This is incredible! Jelly ice sounds like a real game-changer for cold storage and sustainability. Reusable, compostable, and avoiding microplastic waste, it ticks all the boxes for eco-friendly innovation. Plus, using plant proteins in the future could make it even greener. Can’t wait to see this used in food safety and medical supply chains!