Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming shape-retentive aggregates of gel particles in which the aggregates are held together by non-covalent bond physical forces such as, without limitation, hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The method comprises introducing a suspension of gel particles in a polar liquid at a selected concentration, wherein the gel particles have an absolute zeta potential, into a medium in which the absolute zeta potential of the gel particles is decreased, resulting in the gel particles coalescing into the claimed shape-retentive aggregate. This invention also relates to uses of the method of formation of the shape-retentive aggregates of gel particles.

Abstract: This invention provides a viscous, shape conforming gel, comprising between about 1% and 50% by weight (dry) of a plurality of polymeric nanoparticles suspended in a liquid or liquids, at least one of which is polar. The plurality of polymeric nanoparticles contained in the gel have an average diameter of less than 1 micrometer and are comprised of an effective amount of polymeric strands each of which is obtained by polymerization of an effective amount of a monomer or two or more monomers in a polar liquid or a mixture of two or more miscible liquids, at least one of which is polar, and an effective amount of a surfactant to stabilize the plurality of gel particles, thereby forming a suspension of gel particles.