👉 The Nelson Fluid, also known as Nelson's Fluid or Nelson's Osmotic Fluid, is a colloidal suspension of sodium alginate particles in water, first described by British chemist Sir John Nelson in 1904. This fluid exhibits unique properties due to its ability to form a gel-like structure when exposed to calcium ions, creating a network that traps water and solid particles. This gelation process is reversible; when the calcium concentration is reduced, the fluid can dissolve back into water. The Nelson Fluid has applications in various fields, including food science for creating gels and coatings, biomedical engineering for drug delivery systems, and materials science for developing smart materials. Its ability to form stable gels under specific conditions makes it a versatile and valuable colloidal system.
