Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rayan Chatterjee, Santidan Biswas, Victor V. Yashin, Michael Aizenberg, Joanna Aizenberg, Anna C. Balazs
Summary: Interpenetrating and random copolymer networks are important for various industrial applications. A theoretical model has been developed for the controlled growth of these networks, allowing for customization of their swelling and elastic properties through adjustments in monomer and crosslinker concentrations or chemical choices. This process can produce gels with a range of mechanical properties to meet the materials requirements of different applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Davey C. Hoekstra, Michael G. Debije, Albert P. H. J. Schenning
Summary: This study reports the formation of triple-shape-memory liquid crystalline-interpenetrating polymer network (LC-IPN) actuators based on a hybrid acrylate-oxetane LC mixture. Polymer films with two distinct glass-transition temperatures are created through the orthogonal polymerization of oxetane and acrylate liquid crystals, allowing for one-way triple-shape-memory actuation and two-way bending actuation with a broad temperature window. The results demonstrate the combination of shape memory polymers with liquid crystal-based soft actuators, showcasing advanced stimuli-responsive properties.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sumanta Samanta, Vignesh K. Rangasami, Heela Sarlus, Jay R. K. Samal, Austin D. Evans, Vijay S. Parihar, Oommen P. Varghese, Robert A. Harris, Oommen P. Oommen
Summary: Innovative scaffold designs that modulate the local inflammatory microenvironment through favorable macrophage polarization and suppressing oxidative stress are needed for successful clinical translation of regenerative cell therapies and graft integration. We herein report the derivation of a hydrazone-crosslinked gallol-functionalized hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel that displayed outstanding viscoelastic properties and immunomodulatory characteristics.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Fabio Pizzetti, Anna Maspes, Arianna Rossetti, Filippo Rossi
Summary: Hydrogels have shown promise in various medical applications, such as controlled drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. Careful material design is crucial for achieving desired properties. By modifying the 3D network of agarose-carbomer hydrogels with hyaluronic acid chains as degradable cross-links, the degradation kinetics of the hydrogels can be tuned to improve tissue regrowth.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhishek P. Dhand, Matthew D. Davidson, Jonathan H. Galarraga, Taimoor H. Qazi, Ryan C. Locke, Robert L. Mauck, Jason A. Burdick
Summary: The incorporation of a secondary network into traditional single-network hydrogels can enhance their mechanical properties, and the properties can be tuned by changing the network composition. The improved processing of these IPN hydrogels will expand their applications in various fields.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hanh T. T. Nguyen, Dang H. Nguyen, Qin-Cheng Zhang, Van-Can Nguyen, Yuh-Lang Lee, Jeng-Shiung Jan, Hsisheng Teng
Summary: This study develops an interpenetrating polymer network electrolyte (IPNE) comprising networked solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI) to address the challenges in all-solid-state batteries. The synergy between the two SPEs results in high ionic conductivity and a high Li-transference number. The exploitation of the synergy between polymer networks is a promising approach to further developing SPEs.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Trevor Gilbert, Matthew A. Campea, Nahieli Preciado Rivera, Michael Majcher, Richard Alsop, Mouhanad Babi, Thomas Kalab, Jose Moran-Mirabal, Maikel Rheinstadter, Todd Hoare
Summary: In this study, injectable PNIPAM/PVP interpenetrating polymer networks were fabricated and characterized. The results show that the internal structure of the injectable IPNs can be controlled by adjusting the PVP molecular weight and degree of thiolation. The PNIPAM gelation drives the formation of domains, with PNIPAM mainly located in the PVP-rich domains and PVP entrapped in the PNIPAM-rich domain. Additionally, the structural reconfiguration of the IPNs can be achieved by heating above the volume phase transition temperature of the PNIPAM phase, which is influenced by the molecular weight and thiolation degree of the PVP precursor polymers.
Article
Polymer Science
Nima Alizadeh, David P. Thorne, Maria L. Auad, Asha-Dee N. Celestine
Summary: A carbon fiber/vinyl ester-polyurethane interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) laminate composite was successfully fabricated and characterized for the first time, showing improved damping response and lowered glass transition temperature with the addition of polyurethane. Although the IPN composite exhibited lower tensile properties compared to the vinyl ester composite, its flexural properties were comparable to the latter.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nima Alizadeh, Asha-Dee N. Celestine, Maria L. Auad, Vinamra Agrawal
Summary: The stress relaxation behavior of acrylic-polyurethane (PU)-based graft-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) was studied through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and numerical modeling using finite element method (FEM). Experimental results were used to develop a three-dimensional FEM model, with good agreement between experimental observations and FEM model results. The effects of varying styrene content, phase compatibility in IPNs, and concentration of acrylic copolymer and PU on stress relaxation were investigated.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Moslem Ahmadian, Mehdi Jaymand
Summary: The treatment of wastewater containing synthetic dyes is crucial due to their potential risks to the environment and public health. Adsorption process using interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and semi-IPNs hydrogels as adsorbents have gained attention for their stability, high swelling capacity, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This review examines the removal of synthetic dyes from aqueous media using semi-IPNs and IPNs hydrogels, discussing their preparation, adsorption capacities, and future perspectives.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cody O. Crosby, Alex Hillsley, Sachin Kumar, Brett Stern, Sapun H. Parekh, Adrianne Rosales, Janet Zoldan
Summary: The IPN hydrogel composed of collagen and NorHA is highly tunable, compaction-resistant, and capable of supporting vasculogenesis. By varying the cross-linker concentration, the stiffness and degradability of the hydrogel can be modulated, showing potential in promoting vascular growth in tissue engineering.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Koichiro Uto, Yoshitaka Matsushita, Mitsuhiro Ebara
Summary: This study designed multiphasic semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) with linear poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) chains that are interpenetrated into the crosslinked PCL network and not involved in crosslinking. The effects of molecular weight and content of linear PCL chains on crystallization and melting were investigated. The results showed that linear PCLs with high molecular weight (M-n = 80k) and content (>23 wt%) formed distinctly separated crystalline phases and underwent two-phase melting and crystallization. These multiphase PCL semi-IPNs demonstrated triple- and two-way shape memory effects, offering new avenues for the synthesis and design of multiphase polymer networks composed of homologous polymers.
Article
Polymer Science
Yufeng Lei, Anqiang Zhang, Yaling Lin
Summary: The utilization of reversible covalent bonds in constructing an interpenetrating covalent adaptable network has led to significant improvements in mechanical performance and high restoration efficiency. This work may open up new avenues for developing more sustainable high-performance polymer blends and IPNs with covalent reversible bonds.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mozhdeh Ghani, Arto Heiskanen, Janko Kajtez, Babak Rezaei, Niels Bent Larsen, Peter Thomsen, Anders Kristensen, Airidas Zukauskas, Martin Alm, Jenny Emneus
Summary: This study presents a novel reversible switchable UV-triggered drug delivery system based on interpenetrating polymer networks, utilizing photo-responsive IPNs to provide a new concept for controlled drug release. The research investigates how copolymer composition and drug lipophilicity affect the release profile, and develops a thermodynamic model to optimize the polymer composition for efficient light-triggered drug release. The results demonstrate excellent light-triggered release for specific drugs and highlight the potential of the developed IPNs in drug delivery applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Soumi Dutta, Ria Sen Gupta, Kunal Manna, Sk Safikul Islam, Suryasarathi Bose
Summary: This study successfully achieved a balance between water permeability and separation abilities in membranes by electrostatically soldering 'green tea' extract EGCG with the membrane's key ingredients. The triple IPN membrane showed excellent antifouling, mechanical and thermal stability, as well as antibacterial and antiviral properties. This research provides guidance for researchers in both academia and industry working on next generation membranes for water remediation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eun Ran Kim, Yuanzhong Xu, Ryan M. Cassidy, Yungang Lu, Yongjie Yang, Jinbin Tian, De-Pei Li, Rachel Van Drunen, Aleix Ribas-Latre, Zhao-Lin Cai, Mingshan Xue, Benjamin R. Arenkiel, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Yong Xu, Qingchun Tong
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baharan Fekry, Aleix Ribas-Latre, Rachel Van Drunen, Rafael Bravo Santos, Samay Shivshankar, Yulin Dai, Zhongming Zhao, Seung-Hee Yoo, Zheng Chen, Kai Sun, Frances M. Sladek, Mamoun Younes, Kristin Eckel-Mahan
Summary: This study reveals the antagonistic effects of HNF4 alpha and BMAL1 in liver disease and HCC. Simultaneous loss of HNF4 alpha and BMAL1 protects against fatty liver and HCC. Furthermore, targeting BMAL1 expression in the absence of HNF4 alpha inhibits HCC growth and progression.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Rachel Van Drunen, Kristin Eckel-Mahan
Summary: Circadian rhythms, expressed internally, regulate physiological functions in the body through sensitivity to external cues known as zeitgebers, with light being a key regulator. In addition to the master clock, other hypothalamic nuclei also express circadian rhythms, playing roles in rhythm regulation, energy homeostasis, and sensitivity to nutrient and hormonal signals. Studies show the critical downstream involvement of extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei in various biological functions such as metabolism, thermogenesis, and food consumption.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rachel Van Drunen, Andrea C. Jimenez-Vergara, Erin H. Tsai, Rachel Tchen, Tyler Cagle, Anne B. Agee, James Roberts, Jennifer M. Steele, Dany J. Munoz-Pinto
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2019)