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TitleHierarchical, Porous Hydrogels Demonstrating Structurally Dependent Mechanical Properties
Date2024
AbstractWhile hierarchical ordering is a distinctive feature of natural tissues and is directly responsible for their diverse and unique properties, efforts to synthesize biomaterials have primarily focused on using molecular-based approaches with little emphasis on multiscale structure. Here, we report a bottom-up self-assembly process to produce highly porous hydrogel fibers that resemble extracellular matrices both structurally and mechanically. Physically crosslinked nanostructured micelles form the walls of micrometer-sized water-rich pores with preferred orientation along the fiber direction. Extremely low elastic moduli (< 1 kPa), high elasticity (extending by more than 12-times initial length), strain-hardening, and completely reversible extension are all derived from the deformation of the micrometer-sized pores, which is reminiscent of cellular solids. Control of the material microstructure and orientation over many orders of magnitude (e.g., nm – µm), while holding the nanostructure constant, reveals how the multiscale structure directly impacts mechanical properties.
MetadataClick here for full metadata
Data DOIdoi:10.26208/5JEG-X325

Researchers
Lloyd, E. C.
Penn State
Amini, S.
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Research Campus Golm
Dhakal, S.
Case Western Reserve University
Alhasan, R.
Brigham Young University
Fratzl, P.
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Research Campus Golm
Tree, D. R.
Brigham Young University
Morozova, S.
Case Western Reserve University
Hickey, R. J.
Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering

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