Self-healing, stretchable and robust interpenetrating network hydrogels

A self-healable stretchable hydrogel system that can be readily synthesized while also possessing robust compressive strength has immense potential for regenerative medicine. Herein, we have explored the addition of commercially available unfunctionalized polysaccharides as a route to synthesize sel...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Macdougall, Laura, Pérez Madrigal, Maria del Mar|||0000-0002-2498-8485, Shaw, Joshua E., Inam, Maria, Hoyland, Judith A., O'Reilly, Rachel, Richardson, Stephen M., Dove, Andrew
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/366701
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/366701
https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C8BM00872H
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biomedical materials
Hydrogel
Materials biomèdics
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria biomèdica::Biomaterials
Descripción
Sumario:A self-healable stretchable hydrogel system that can be readily synthesized while also possessing robust compressive strength has immense potential for regenerative medicine. Herein, we have explored the addition of commercially available unfunctionalized polysaccharides as a route to synthesize self-healing, stretchable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) interpenetrating networks (IPNs) as extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics. The introduction of self-healing and stretchable properties has been achieved while maintaining the robust mechanical strength of the orginal, single network PEG-only hydrogels (ultimate compressive stress up to 2.4 MPa). This has been accomplished without the need for complicated and expensive functionalization of the natural polymers, enhancing the translational applicability of these new biomaterials.