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Most typical hydrogels, both natural and synthetic, have a positive correlation between toughness and hysteresis, meaning that the higher the toughness, the longer the hydrogel takes to recover its original shape and vice versa. [47] This is largely due to sacrificial bonds being the source of toughness within many of these hydrogels.
Nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) are nanomaterial-filled, hydrated, polymeric networks that exhibit higher elasticity and strength relative to traditionally made hydrogels. A range of natural and synthetic polymers are used to design nanocomposite network.
As the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in the survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells, hydrogels mimicking natural ECM structure are considered as potential approaches towards in vivo –like cell culturing. [2] [3] GrowDex is NFC hydrogel for 3D cell culture commercialized by UPM, Finland. [4]
Hydrogels also possess a degree of flexibility very similar to natural tissue, due to their significant water content. As responsive " smart materials ," hydrogels can encapsulate chemical systems which upon stimulation by external factors such as a change of pH may cause specific compounds such as glucose to be liberated to the environment, in ...
Ratanavaraporn says her research is currently focused on two applications: transdermal patches, where drugs are delivered externally via a small patch on the skin; and hydrogel made using silk ...
Given that natural and synthetic polymers are defined by their own set of advantages and disadvantages, an ongoing area of research aims to create composite hydrogels for nanogel synthesis that combines synthetic and natural polymers to leverage the benefits of both in one nanogel formulation. [3]
Self-healing hydrogels are a specialized type of polymer hydrogel.A hydrogel is a macromolecular polymer gel constructed of a network of crosslinked polymer chains. Hydrogels are synthesized from hydrophilic monomers by either chain or step growth, along with a functional crosslinker to promote network formation.
[6] [7] Hydrogels are generally classified based on the following characteristics: material, crosslinking mechanism, physical structure, electric charge, and response to stimuli. [8] Synthesis of hydrogels are developed from a combination or isolated forms of natural and synthetic polymers.