Article
Polymer Science
Yongqi Liu, Lei Wang, Jingtao Jiang, Xiangke Wang, Chenghao Dai, Gengsheng Weng
Summary: We have reported a new design concept that utilizes the Ag+/Fe3+-catalyzed fast gelation to achieve fast healing of covalently cross-linked polymer hydrogels. The hydrogels can be repeatedly healed without extra energy input through the interfacially igniting gelation (IIG) reaction.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hui Tan, Luzhi Zhang, Xiaopeng Ma, Lijie Sun, Dingle Yu, Zhengwei You
Summary: In this study, the authors report fibers prepared with dynamic covalent bonds, which can reversibly dissociate for processing and maintain improved mechanical properties. This technology provides a simple and effective method for producing adaptable fibers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Milad Kamkar, Mohsen Janmaleki, Elnaz Erfanian, Amir Sanati-Nezhad, Uttandaraman Sundararaj
Summary: Gelatin-based hydrogels are widely used in biomedical applications, but their mechanical behavior under large deformations is not well understood. In this study, a novel technique was used to evaluate the mechanical response of GelMA hydrogels under large deformations, revealing nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. The concentration of the hydrogel precursor was found to affect the viscoelastic parameters.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Johnel Giliomee, Lisa C. du Toit, Bert Klumperman, Yahya E. Choonara
Summary: The 3D printability of poly(L-lysine-ran-L-alanine) and four-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (P(KA)/4-PEG) hydrogels as 3D biomaterial inks was investigated and CS-P(KA)/4-PEG inks demonstrated excellent 3D printability for potential applications in wound healing and soft tissue engineering.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zihao Xu, Doh-Gyu Hwang, Michael D. Bartlett, Shan Jiang, Kaitlin M. Bratlie
Summary: Adhesion of macrophages to hydrogel surfaces can be enhanced by modifying the hydrophobicity of the surface, which in turn affects cell proliferation and protein adsorption. The alteration of substrate hydrophobicity also has an impact on macrophage responses, such as TNF-alpha production.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rebecca Kaup, Jan Bart ten Hove, Aldrik H. Velders
Summary: This study presents a versatile method for forming dendrimer superstructures using coacervate-core micelles as templates, resulting in well-defined covalently cross-linked nanostructures called dendroids. By incorporating dendrimer-encapsulated gold nanoparticles into the micelle template, stable three-dimensional structures are formed, illustrating the potential for various classes of supermolecules in different research areas.
Article
Polymer Science
Fabio Bignotti, Francesco Baldi, Mario Grassi, Michela Abrami, Gloria Spagnoli
Summary: This work presents a novel method to synthesize hydrophobically-modified hydrogels, which exhibit thermosensitive behavior and enhanced properties when the HLB decreases, especially when wp exceeds 10%. The decrease in HLB results in an increase in polymer weight content and improvement in mechanical properties due to the occurrence of physical crosslinking.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohand O. Saed, Alexandra Gablier, Eugene M. Terentjev
Summary: Liquid crystalline elastomer networks cross-linked by dynamic covalent bonds (xLCEs) possess the remarkable capability of being (re)processed during plastic flow at high temperatures, while also allowing for the (re)programming of their local alignment. The current generation of xLCEs cannot be directly extruded or injection-molded into actuation-capable shapes. Here, a new poly(thio-urethane) (PTU) LCE thermoset is presented, which can be manipulated through two distinct pathways. The PTU LCEs demonstrate excellent processability and can be extruded, injection-molded, or hot-pressed into various shapes. They also exhibit reversible actuation capabilities and outstanding mechanical properties.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica S. Brand, Leonard Forster, Thomas Boeck, Philipp Stahlhut, Joerg Tessmar, Juergen Groll, Krystyna Albrecht
Summary: This article introduces a hydrogel prepared from pig gastric mucin (PGM), which has good biocompatibility and functional groups for chemical modifications. Compared to bovine submaxillary gland mucin, this hydrogel is more cost-efficient and easily accessible.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrey Malkovskiy, Ariane Tom, Lydia-Marie Joubert, Zhenan Bao
Summary: CLARITY is a tissue preservation and optical clearing technique that forms a hydrogel directly within ex vivo brain tissue. In this study, Raman spectroscopy and rheology were used to evaluate the extent of polymer gel formation and crosslinking in CLARITY samples with different concentrations of acrylamide monomer (AAm). The results showed that the presence and distribution of polyacrylamide in individual neurons could be observed using Raman spectroscopy. In addition, lower concentrations of AAm resulted in a decrease in shear elastic modulus, indicating higher sample permeability and protein retention.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Ju-Zhen Yi, Kunhua Lin, Hao Wu, Xuhong Mao, Li-Ming Zhang, Liqun Yang
Summary: The hydrogel composed of CPUL-ConA was prepared with glucose-sensitivity and encapsulated acarbose effectively. The smart release of acarbose in gastrointestinal fluids was demonstrated to inhibit alpha-glucosidase activity and control blood glucose levels, with potential benefits for postprandial hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. Rheological analysis indicated the stability of the Acar/CPUL-ConA hydrogel under gastric and intestinal peristalsis, suggesting its potential therapeutic efficacy improvement.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Catalina Anisoara Peptu, Elena Simona a, Corina-Lenuta Savin (Logigan), Marian Lutcanu, Maricel Agop
Summary: New hydrogel films crosslinked with epichlorohydrin, based on alginates and carboxymethyl cellulose, show promise as potential drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility, water absorption capacity, and controlled drug release potential. A new theoretical model within the Scale Relativity Theory framework offers insights into the microscopic drug release process and simplifies analysis of drug release.
Article
Polymer Science
Bogdan-Paul Cosman, Sanda-Maria Bucatariu, Marieta Constantin, Gheorghe Fundueanu
Summary: Novel double cross-linked hydrogels with pH-/temperature-sensitive properties were designed and developed. The resulting scaffolds exhibited interconnected pores and a flexible pattern, and showed different swelling kinetics under temperature and pH variations. Metoclopramide was loaded within the double cross-linked hydrogels, demonstrating their ability as drug-controlled release platforms.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Filippo Bisotti, Fabio Pizzetti, Giuseppe Storti, Filippo Rossi
Summary: Hydrogels are 3D structures of hydrophilic polymers that have gained significant importance in various applications, such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. In this study, hydrogels were synthesized using branched polyacrylic acid and aliphatic polyetherdiamine and their swelling behavior and drug release capabilities were investigated through mathematical modeling and literature models.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Martin Silhavik, Prabhat Kumar, Zahid Ali Zafar, Martin Misek, Martin Cicala, Marek Piliarik, Jiri Cervenka
Summary: Graphene aerogel exhibits anomalous superelastic behavior and can withstand high compressive and tensile strains. A quantitative origami model is developed to describe its stress-strain behavior.
COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS
(2022)
