Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Nathan R. R. Richbourg, Nicholas A. A. Peppas
Summary: Controlling solute transport in hydrogels is crucial for various applications. Previous studies have oversimplified the influence of hydrogel structure on solute transport, neglecting certain factors. This study reevaluates these models by experimenting with multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels and considers four structural parameters. The results validate the use of a geometry-responsive mesh radius in solute diffusivity modeling and show that the Richbourg-Peppas swollen polymer network (SPN) model accurately predicts solute diffusivity, outperforming the large pore effective medium (LPEM) model. This study provides a framework for improving hydrogel design for tissue engineering and drug delivery.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
So-Hee Son, Gyuri Park, Junho Lim, Chang Yun Son, Seung Soo Oh, Ju Young Lee
Summary: The structural flexibility of lipids plays a decisive role in their selective partitioning into lipid droplets (LDs). The volume expansion of LDs increases the storage of flexible lipids, while broadening the LD surface enhances the storage of rigid lipids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jonathan T. Peters, Marissa E. Wechsler, Nicholas A. Peppas
Summary: Hydrogels are cross-linked polymeric networks that can be synthesized through various polymerization methods, allowing for tunable chemical characteristics and compatibility with biological systems. They can exhibit swelling or collapsing responses to external stimuli.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Nathan R. Richbourg, Nicholas A. Peppas
Summary: Accurate mathematical models linking solute and hydrogel properties to solute diffusion coefficients have been developed, with experiments showing that increasing hydrogel mesh radii can increase diffusivities of solutes, although the diffusivity behavior varies based on the solute size and type. The high-throughput characterization method for solute diffusion in hydrogels described in this study allows for precise design of hydrogels for biomedical applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Jagadeeshwar Kodavaty, Abhijit P. Deshpande
Summary: Evaluation of transport properties of a drug in a hydrogel matrix is important in drug delivery system assessment. Water sorption and solute release are key factors determining water/solute transport in hydrogels. The diffusion of solvent through the hydrogel is case II transport, while diffusion through the swollen hydrogel is case I (Fickian). The diffusion coefficient is independent of mesh size and pH, but release kinetics are influenced by solute diffusion and polymer relaxation. Relaxation coefficient is affected by alkalinity, showing similar contribution to transport during solvent sorption and solute release.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michela Abrami, Fabio Bignotti, Francesco Baldi, Gloria Spagnoli, Alice Biasin, Lucia Grassi, Gabriele Grassi, Mario Grassi
Summary: The focus of this study is to characterize hydrophobically-modified polyethylene glycol hydrogels for drug delivery systems using rheology and low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The results revealed that increasing the content of hydrophobic segments and applying thermal treatments after hydrogel preparation can improve the physical bonds. A reliable interpretative model linking shear modulus and average magnetic relaxation time was established, and a new mathematical approach for determining the magnetic relaxation spectrum was proposed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Prashant Agarwal, Daniel G. Greene, Scott Sherman, Kaitlyn Wendl, Leonela Vega, Hyunsoo Park, Roman Shimanovich, Darren L. Reid
Summary: Sustained-release formulations are important for converting efficacious molecules into therapeutic products. Research on hydrogel-based drug delivery has focused on synthesizing new materials, but there is limited attention to factors like structural characterization and technology development. Commercially available thermosensitive hydrogel systems have shown potential for delaying drug release, with one system demonstrating higher complex viscosity and slower diffusivity compared to another.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margaux Vigata, Christoph Meinert, Nathalie Bock, Bronwin L. Dargaville, Dietmar W. Hutmacher
Summary: Water in hydrogels plays a significant role in biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The ionic strength and pH affect the mesh size of hydrogels, potentially impacting drug delivery applications, while drug loading increases non-freezable bound water. This research provides insights into molecular arrangements at the hydrogel-polymer interface and their response to environmental cues.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xi Chen, Chanhee Boo, Ngai Yin Yip
Summary: This study elucidates the underlying factors of the permeability-selectivity tradeoff relationship in thin-film composite polyamide (TFC-PA) membranes. The results show that the solute molecular diameter is a primary influence on the tradeoff, and a new transport regime weakly coupled to water transport is identified. This research demonstrates the applicability of the solution-diffusion framework to TFC-PA membranes and quantifies the principal role of solute size in governing RO transport.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenglong Wang, Fan Meng, Luyang Qiao, Yuyan Xie, Xin Liu, Jinhuan Zheng
Summary: A self-lubricating hydrogel filament was successfully achieved using a blue-light photopolymerization system with CQ/DPI as photoinitiators, AM/DMAA as monomers, PEGDA as a cross-linker, and lecithin as a lipid lubricant. The physical cross-linking effect between lecithin and the poly(DMAA/AM) network improved the polymerization properties and elasticity, while a lipid-based boundary layer at the hydrogel surface contributed to its self-lubrication. The extruded hydrogel filaments showed excellent mechanical properties and weavability, making them suitable for applications in soft robotics and bioengineering.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xuebing Liu, Di Zhang, Hui Wang, Yu Yan, Xinfang Zhang
Summary: In this study, a novel manipulation pathway using pulsed electric field (PEC) was explored to control grain boundary structure and improve corrosion resistance in age-hardening aluminum alloys. The calculated atomic diffusion results showed that PEC can stimulate atomic diffusion by decreasing the energy required, inhibiting the formation of continuous distribution of grain boundary precipitates and solute depletion zone. This significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amir Jangizehi, Sebastian Seiffert
Summary: Charged hydrogels swell in aqueous salt solutions and can be used for desalination of saltwater. Experimental results show that the charge density of the hydrogels at their equilibrium swelling and the degree of water recovery significantly impact salt rejection efficiency.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bingzhong Yang, Bent Herrmann
Summary: This study compares the size selectivity and exploitation pattern of diamond-mesh codends with various mesh sizes for cocktail shrimp in the South China Sea. The findings suggest that increasing the mesh size does not significantly improve the size selectivity and exploitation pattern.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Blessing C. Ilochonwu, Marko Mihajlovic, Roel F. Maas-Bakker, Charis Rousou, Miao Tang, Mei Chen, Wim E. Hennink, Tina Vermonden
Summary: This study aims to develop a degradable in situ forming hydrogel that can be injected into the vitreous cavity for sustained release of therapeutic antibodies to treat retinal diseases. Through systematic experiments and analysis, the most suitable hydrogel formulation was identified and its effectiveness and bioactivity in vivo were demonstrated.
Article
Polymer Science
Nathan R. Richbourg, Akhila Ravikumar, Nicholas A. Peppas
Summary: Hydrogels are commonly used in drug delivery, chromatography, and tissue engineering for regulating solute transport. Modeling efforts focusing on hydrogel properties, solute properties, and solute transport aim to improve efficiency in hydrogel design.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
M. P. Yutkin, C. J. Radke, T. W. Patzek
Summary: Higher oil recovery after waterflood in carbonate reservoirs is attributed to increasing water wettability of the rock that relies on complicated surface chemistry. Carefully designed chemical and/or brine flood compositions in the laboratory may not remain intact while passing through the reactive reservoir rock, especially in low-salinity waterflood processes.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Young Hyun Kim, Meng C. Lin, Clayton J. Radke
Summary: This study evaluates the central-to-peripheral corneal edema caused by scleral lenses and soft contact lenses with embedded components. By adjusting the design parameters of the lenses, corneal swelling can be reduced.
CONTACT LENS & ANTERIOR EYE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Emrah Kirtil, Tatyana Svitova, Clayton J. Radke, Mecit Halil Oztop, Serpil Sahin
Summary: Quince seed extract shows promising surface activity and thickening properties, with the ability to lower surface tension to a low level and provide strong surface coverage at relatively low concentrations. The study highlights the impact of varying concentrations, pH levels, and ionic strengths on the surface properties of the extract, demonstrating its potential as a natural alternative to synthetic surfactants and stabilizers in various industries.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
M. P. Yutkin, C. J. Radke, T. W. Patzek
Summary: Modified or low-salinity waterflooding of carbonate oil reservoirs has economic potential, but the reactivity of limestone hinders the design of brines. This study verifies the theoretical framework through waterflood-brine experiments and finds that the injected brine reaches chemical equilibrium even at low injection rates. These findings contribute to the understanding of the impact of brines on the carbonate rock and crude oil interfaces.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ahmed M. Saad, Maxim P. Yutkin, Clayton J. Radke, Tadeusz W. Patzek
Summary: Mixed wettability in oil reservoirs affects oil recovery. Studying the imbibition process in capillaries can increase the oil recovery. Dynamic models fail to explain the experimental results, while the quasi-static model is more accurate.
Review
Ophthalmology
Young Hyun Kim, Thien C. Nguyen, Meng C. Lin, Cheng-Chun J. Peng, Clayton J. Radke
Summary: Hyperosmotic tears can stimulate the cornea and cause dry eye symptoms, but the use of soft contact lenses can protect the cornea from these effects. Current measurement methods for tear osmolarity during lens wear do not accurately reflect the osmolarity of the tear film that covers the cornea. Dry eye patients can benefit from contact lenses with low salt diffusivity to reduce their tear osmolarity to normal levels.
PROGRESS IN RETINAL AND EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sarah A. Berlinger, Anamika Chowdhury, Tim Van Cleve, Aaron He, Nicholas Dagan, Kenneth C. Neyerlin, Bryan D. McCloskey, Clayton J. Radke, Adam Z. Weber
Summary: The article explores the impact of changing the primary particle loading (PPL) on the performance of catalyst layers (CLs) in electrochemical energy conversion technologies. It identifies a direct correlation between high current density performance and zeta-potential of the solution-processed inks used to form the CLs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sarah A. . Berlinger, Xunkai Chen, Maxim Yutkin, Clayton J. Radke
Summary: The current methodologies for interpreting QCM-D data do not adequately describe the physics of solution adsorption, and a new self-consistent continuum model is developed to overcome these deficiencies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrew R. Crothers, Ahmet Kusoglu, Clayton J. Radke, Adam Z. Weber
Summary: This study uses simulations and theory to investigate the role of mesoscale network on water, proton, and electrokinetic transport in perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes. Results show that the size of hydrophilic domains affects the distribution of microscale coefficients for different transport modes and mediates nonuniform transport of species. Local electrokinetic flows induced by the distribution of transport properties across the network couple water and proton transport.
Article
Ophthalmology
Young Hyun Kim, Thien Nguyen, Meng C. Lin, Cheng-Chun Peng, Clayton J. Radke
Summary: Our analysis suggests that midday removal and reinsertion of soft contact lenses cannot prevent hyperosmolarity in the post-lens tear film. However, using soft contact lenses with low salt diffusivity can prevent hyperosmotic post-lens tear films.
OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Young Hyun Kim, Meng C. Lin, Cheng-Chun Peng, Clayton J. Radke
Summary: The study demonstrates that wearing soft contact lenses can effectively protect the cornea from localized spikes of hyperosmolarity on the pre-lens tear film, reducing resulting pain sensations. Lower salt diffusivities increase this protective effect.
CONTACT LENS & ANTERIOR EYE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Zheng, Jinbo Dou, Yan Wang, Lu Zhu, George Yao, Young Hyun Kim, Clayton J. Radke, James Yuliang Wu
Summary: This study investigates the uptake and release kinetics of a dilute aqueous polymeric-surfactant wetting agent in a newly designed silicone-hydrogel lens material. The results show that the diffusion coefficient of the wetting agent is significantly smaller than that of the free surfactant in bulk water, and the majority of the loaded amount is irreversibly bound in the lens matrix. The release of the wetting agent is more hydrophilic and polar, indicating the suitability of using this nonionic polymeric surfactant to enhance lens wettability over time.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lisha Zhu, Anamika Chowdhury, C. J. Radke
Summary: Improving the processing efficiency of aerosol-coating technologies during mass production requires optimizing the nozzle spacing to achieve complete surface coverage without excessive use of coating fluid. This study focuses on the imbibition dynamics of aqueous droplets on woven textiles. Experimental observations and a mathematical model confirm the occurrence of a four-petal spreading pattern during imbibition, and provide quantitative predictions of liquid advancement in the anisotropic cloth.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Young Hyun Kim, Andrew D. Graham, Wing Li, Thomas J. Dursch, Cheng-Chun Peng, Clayton J. Radke, Meng C. Lin
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in evaporation flux between symptomatic and asymptomatic soft-contact-lens wearers, to assess the repeatability of a flow evaporimeter, and to measure the relationship between evaporation flux and tear properties and environmental conditions. The results showed that thicker lipid layer was associated with slower evaporation flux, higher evaporation flux was associated with faster tear breakup and ocular-surface temperature decline rate. Symptomatic lens wearers had higher evaporation flux, but the results were not statistically significant.
CONTACT LENS & ANTERIOR EYE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
John G. G. Petrovick, Clayton J. J. Radke, Adam Z. Z. Weber
Summary: The study investigated the diffusivity and Henry's constants of hydrogen and oxygen gases in ionomer membranes at different relative humidities, using microelectrodes. Results showed that gas permeability and diffusivity increase, while Henry's constants decrease as relative humidity increases. In addition, comparisons with a parallel diffusion transport theory showed good agreement. The two-time-regime analysis and experimental methodology can be applied to improve the precision of transport parameter calculations in other electrochemical systems.
ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU
(2022)