Highly Strong and Transparent Hydrogel Elastomers Microfabricated for 3D Microphysiological Systems.

ABSTRACT: 3D microarchitected hydrogels have recently been exploited to establish microphysiological systems for preclinical studies. However, promising hydrogels, unlike anhydrous elastomers, which have been widely adopted for device microfabrication, are still scarce for biodevice engineering due to their limitations in mechanical properties and manufacturability. Here, we leverage temperature-controlled physical cross-linking of a polymer network to generate highly strong, elastic, and transparent hydrogels, which can be further readily microfabricated into elaborate constructs for diverse device designs. Specifically, with the addition of a good solvent of dimethyl sulfoxide, poly(vinyl alcohol) dissolved in the mixed solvent of dimethyl sulfoxide/water (4:1) shows extensive physical cross-links

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12291088 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature