Dynamic electro-regulation of the stiffness gradient hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogels are promising biomaterials which provide bionic environments to study the effect of stiffness. A hydrogel with dynamically changeable stiffness can be used to further understand the dynamic biological processes such as embryonic development, tumorigenesis, etc. here we present an electro-regulation method which can dynamically control the stiffness of hydrogels with ionic crosslinks. By applying an electric field and controlling the voltage applied to the hydrogel the mechanical properties of the hydrogel can be changed. The voltage can directly change the stress-relaxation properties of the hydrogel, and after the voltage was applied for hundreds of seconds, a gradient stiffness was generated along the direction of the electric field. The value of gradient stiffness can b

SUBMITTER: Yang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9078371 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature