Journal: ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
Article Title: Encoding Hydrogel Mechanics via Network Cross-Linking Structure
doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5b00064
Figure Lengend Snippet: Incorporation of Lys(alloc) amino acids influences the resulting hydrogel mechanical properties. (a) Different polymer densities of PEG–PQ and PEG–PQ(alloc) hydrogels were mechanically tested to determine their compressive moduli. PEG–PQ(alloc) hydrogels exhibited significantly lower (∼10 fold) compressive moduli as compared to PEG–PQ. (b, c) In rheological measurements, PEG–PQ(alloc) had a significantly lower storage modulus ( G ′) compared to PEG–PQ yet displayed a nearly identical loss modulus ( G ″) to PEG–PQ. (d) Holding the overall prepolymer density at 5% PEG, the two macromers could be mixed at ratios of 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, or 100/0 PEG–PQ/PEG–PQ(alloc) to create a continuum of mechanics between the minimal and maximal values, exhibiting an exponential relationship between the measured compressive modulus and PEG–PQ(alloc) content. (* indicates statistical significance, in all cases p < 0.001).
Article Snippet: PEG–PQ and PEG–PQ(alloc) macromers were dissolved at different ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50.
Techniques: Polymer