Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
224(24)
Published: Sept. 28, 2023
Abstract
Hydrogels
are
key
components
of
biological
tissues
and
have
applications
in
biomedicine
commercial
industry.
Many
known
to
strain
harden
due
the
semiflexible
nature
chains.
Here,
mechancial
properties
poly‐
l
‐lysine
(PLL)
hydrogels,
whose
network
chains
undergo
a
random
coil–helix
transition,
studied
as
function
polypeptide's
structural
changes.
PLL
is
cross‐linked
with
poly(ethylene
glycol)diglycidyl
ether
at
cross‐link
percents
ranging
from
3%
6%.
The
conformation
change
mechanical
investigated
circular
dichroism
small
large
amplitude
oscillatory
shear
rheology,
respectively.
As
pH
low
percents,
transition
softening
hardening
observed
become
helical
that
similar
behavior
filamentous
gels
consistent
recent
theoretical
descriptions
hardening.
At
higher
densities,
hydrogels
brittle
stress
concentration
inhomogeneous
locations
network,
which
dynamic
light
scattering.
Overall,
has
significant
effect
on
nonlinear
hydrogels.
By
understanding
hydrogel
structure
response
environmental
changes,
their
potential
can
be
expanded
functional
biomedical
materials.
Chemical Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(18), P. 4796 - 4805
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
Strain-stiffening
is
observed
and
characterized
in
flexible
PEG
hydrogel
networks
crosslinked
via
dynamic-covalent
boronate
ester
bonds,
revealing
an
uncommon
synthetic
mimic
of
a
mechanoresponse
found
natural
biopolymer
networks.
ACS Nano,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
18(4), P. 3011 - 3022
Published: Jan. 18, 2024
The
divergent
supramolecular
behavior
of
a
series
tripeptide
stereoisomers
was
elucidated
through
spectroscopic,
microscopic,
crystallographic,
and
computational
techniques.
Only
two
epimers
were
able
to
effectively
self-organize
into
amphipathic
structures,
leading
hydrogels
or
crystals,
respectively.
Despite
the
similarity
between
peptides'
turn
conformations,
stereoconfiguration
led
different
abilities
engage
in
intramolecular
hydrogen
bonding.
Self-assembly
further
shifted
pKa
value
C-terminal
side
chain.
As
result,
across
pH
range
4–6,
only
one
epimer
predominated
sufficiently
as
zwitterion
reach
critical
molar
fraction,
allowing
gelation.
By
contrast,
differing
values
higher
dipole
moment
other
favored
crystallization.
four
tested
for
gold
nanoparticle
(AuNP)
formation,
with
hydrogel
being
key
control
stabilize
AuNPs,
yielding
nanocomposite
that
catalyzed
photodegradation
dye.
Importantly,
AuNP
formation
occurred
without
use
reductants
than
peptide,
redox
chemistry
investigated
by
LC–MS,
NMR,
infrared
scattering-type
near
field
optical
microscopy
(IR
s-SNOM).
This
study
provides
important
insights
rational
design
simple
peptides
minimalistic
green
building
blocks
functional
nanocomposites.
Cell Reports Physical Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
5(2), P. 101834 - 101834
Published: Feb. 1, 2024
Over
the
last
decade,
water-soluble
polyisocyanopeptides
(PICs)
have
emerged
as
a
new
class
of
biomimetic
polymers.
Analogous
to
biopolymers,
PICs
exhibit
semi-flexible
nature;
however,
unlike
their
biological
counterparts,
they
possess
unique
advantage
being
highly
customizable.
Hydrogels
made
fibrous
and
porous
architecture
and,
consequently,
mechanical
properties.
This
includes
strain
stiffening,
which
is
well
known
in
materials
but
rarely
found
synthetic
gels.
These
properties
make
PIC
hydrogels
uniquely
suited
for
wide
range
applications.
One
key
application
use
tailorable,
3D
cell
culture
matrix,
also
allows
investigating
interactions
between
cells
environment.
Beyond
gel
applications,
soluble
are
used
an
immunological
setting,
where
provide
multivalent
scaffold
development
dendritic
cells.
review
aims
comprehensive
overview
PICs,
encompassing
structure,
properties,
First,
we
discuss
history,
synthesis,
characterization
methods
hydrogels,
followed
by
current
applications
that
from
biosensing
immunotherapy
wound
healing.
Presenting
these
different
demonstrate
polymers
multi-versatile
scaffold,
triggering
interest
material
scientists,
biologists,
chemists,
medical
engineers.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(41), P. 48736 - 48743
Published: Oct. 9, 2023
Flexible
materials
with
ionic
conductivity
and
stretchability
are
indispensable
in
emerging
fields
of
flexible
electronic
devices
as
sensing
protecting
layers.
However,
designing
robust
skin-like
compliance
remains
challenging
because
the
contradiction
between
softness
strength.
Herein,
inspired
by
modulus-contrast
hierarchical
structure
biological
skin,
we
fabricated
a
biomimetic
hydrogel
strain-stiffening
capability
embedding
stiff
array
poly(acrylic
acid)
(PAAc)
soft
polyacrylamide
(PAAm)
hydrogel.
The
stress
distribution
both
domains
can
be
regulated
changing
arrangement
patterns,
thus
improving
mechanical
properties
patterned
As
expected,
resulting
showed
its
nonlinear
properties,
which
afforded
high
strength
1.20
MPa
while
maintaining
low
initial
Young's
modulus
31.0
kPa.
Moreover,
PAAc
enables
to
possess
protonic
absence
additional
salts,
endowing
ability
serve
strain
sensor
for
monitoring
human
motion.
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
146(35), P. 24330 - 24347
Published: Aug. 20, 2024
Dynamic
hydrogels
are
attractive
platforms
for
tissue
engineering
and
regenerative
medicine
due
to
their
ability
mimic
key
extracellular
matrix
(ECM)
mechanical
properties
like
strain-stiffening
stress
relaxation
while
enabling
enhanced
processing
characteristics
injectability,
3D
printing,
self-healing.
Systems
based
on
imine-type
dynamic
covalent
chemistry
(DCvC)
have
become
increasingly
popular.
However,
most
reported
polymers
comprising
aldehyde
groups
either
end-group-modified
synthetic
or
side-chain-modified
natural
polymers;
versions
of
noticeably
absent.
To
facilitate
access
new
classes
hydrogels,
we
report
the
straightforward
synthesis
a
water-soluble
copolymer
with
tunable
fraction
pendant
(12-64%)
using
controlled
radical
polymerization
formation
into
hydrogel
biomaterials
cross-links.
We
found
polymer
be
well-controlled
determined
reactivity
ratios
consistent
blocky
gradient
microarchitecture.
Subsequently,
observed
fast
gelation
kinetics
cross-linking.
were
able
vary
stiffness
from
≈2
20
kPa,
tune
onset
toward
biologically
relevant
regime
(σ
Advanced Materials Technologies,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 12, 2025
Abstract
Food
animation
is
gaining
increasing
attention
for
the
ability
to
reduce
waste
and
increase
attractiveness
in
animals
humans.
Although
several
examples
of
food
methods
have
been
recently
described,
speed
range
motion
are
still
limited.
Here
a
method
described
design
manufacture
small
edible
jumpers
powered
by
rapid
release
elastic
energy
through
shell
snapping.
The
jumping
actuators
made
gelatin
crosslinked
with
genipin
polyvinyl
alcohol,
ensuring
resilience
stress
during
eversion.
shape
size
shells
modeled
optimized
maximum
height
resulting
diameter
47
mm
that
can
reach
361
mm.
be
loaded
additional
nutritional
components
encapsulated
humidity‐sensitive
latches
automatic
release.
To
showcase
potential
uses
such
jumpers,
pellet
pets
an
animated
dessert
humans
described.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 20, 2025
Abstract
Inspired
by
the
sensory
functions
of
human
skin,
development
electronic
skins
(e‐skins)
has
garnered
significant
attention.
Ionogels,
as
an
emerging
class
soft
materials,
show
promise
in
serving
e‐skins.
The
pursuit
a
sustainable
society
motivates
recyclable
ionogels,
typically
achieved
introducing
dynamic
non‐covalent
bonds.
However,
these
current
state‐of‐the‐art
methods
often
result
poor
elasticity
or
strain
softening,
which
significantly
limits
their
suitability
for
e‐skin
applications.
This
study
introduces
multifunctional
and
based
on
hierarchical
double‐network
ionogel
that
integrates
covalent
bonds
interactions.
seamlessly
key
including
strain‐stiffening
capability,
self‐healing
ability
within
12
h,
rapid
response
time
(120
ms),
high
(energy
loss
coefficient
0.07
at
150%
strain),
all
single
material.
enhance
cohesive
energy,
ensuring
elasticity,
while
improve
adhesive
properties.
As
proof
concept,
can
be
fabricated
into
strain‐temperature
dual‐modal
e‐skin,
exhibiting
sensitivity,
reliability,
state‐independent
performance.
advancement
highlights
potential
ionogels
next‐generation
wearable
devices.