hydrogel – TechConnect Briefs

Fast-reacting smart hydrogel-based sensor platform for biomedical applications

Koerner J., Reiche C.F., Leu H-Y, Magda J., Solzbacher F., University of Utah, US

Smart hydrogels are highly biocompatible polymeric materials which change their volume in the presence of an analyte they have been tailored for by molecular imprinting or aptamer-based approaches. These properties make hydrogels ideal candidates for [...]

Hydrogel-based scaffolds for tissue engineering

Joshi S., Singh S.R., Alabama State University, US

Gels or hydrogels are described as the matrix of cross-linked polymers. Hydrogels are naturally a part of the body in the form of collagen, gelatin, mucous, tear films, cartilage, vitreous humor, cornea, and tendon. The [...]

Bilayer coated ureteral stent as drug delivery platform to treat ureteric diseases

Lim W., Xiong G.M., Chong T.W., Huang Y., Venkatraman S., Nanyang Technological University, SG

The current methods of treating ureteric diseases such as strictures and carcinoma include endoscopic full-thickness incision of the ureteric wall and placement of an indwelling stent for up to 6 weeks. However, such interventions are [...]

nano Droplet Array Plates (nDAPs): 3D Cell Culture in Anchored Hydrogel Droplets Compatible with Conventional Microplates

Xu Q.F., Chen X., Lyons A.M., ARL Designs LLC, US

University researchers as well as large pharmaceutical companies need improved technologies for discovering new drugs. Current drug-discovery approaches are highly inefficient, as

Carbon nanotubes-metal nanoparticle heterostructures embedded within stimuli-responsive hydrogel for controlled delivery applications

Shi W., Venkatanarayanan A., Chopra N., The University of Alabama, US

In this work we report a novel hybrid hydrogel by embedded complex carbon nanotube-metal nanoparticle architectures within a hydrogel network. This leads to a novel triggering mechanism for release of multiple chemical species at controlled [...]

Evaluation of F127 / chitosan hydrogel as a scaffold for bone repair

Yang M.-C., Lai W.-F., Taiwan University of Science & Technology/Taipei Medical University, TW

An in situ gelled scaffold for bone tissue engineering to restore the function of bone tissues is developed. The gel is comprised of Pluronic F127 and chitosan. The gelation temperature (Tgel), and viscoelastic properties and [...]

Magnetization of hydrogel particles: a novel urine tuberculosis antigen test

Paris L., Cox A., Petricoin E., Liotta L., Luchini A., George Mason University, US

This study aims at developing a nanotechnology-based screening test that would reliably detect early stage tuberculosis (TB) infection and discriminate active from latent infections. The use of urine in TB testing has been hampered by [...]

Hydrogel-based multi-stimuli responsive cilia

Glazer P.J., Leuven J., An H., Lemay S.G., Mendes E., Delft University of Technology, NL

We present large-scale multi-responsive cilia arrays that can be stimulated environmentally (via a pH change), electrically or magnetically. By means of micro-fabrication techniques, we created high-aspect ratio molds on which the polymer solution was cast. [...]

Functionalized Self-Assembling Peptides for Immediate Hemostasis and Accelerative Liver Tissue Regeneration

Cheng T.Y., Wu H.C., Chang W.H., Huang M.Y., Lee C.H., Wang T.-W., Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, TW

Traumatic injury or surgery may trigger extensive bleeding. However, conventional hemostatic methods have limited efficacy and may cause surrounding tissue damage. In this study, we use self-assembling peptides (SAPs) and specifically extend fragments of functional [...]

Preparation and Characterization of Antibacterial TiO2/Poly[acrylamide-co-(acrylic acid)] Composite Hydrogel

Boonpavanitchakul K., Yiamsawas D., Kangwansupamonkon W., National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, TH

A photocatalytically antibacterial TiO2/poly[acrylamide-co-(acrylic acid)] composite hydrogel from acrylamide (AAm) and acrylic acid (AAc) comonomers was prepared by free-radical aqueous polymerization using N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide (N-MBA) as a crosslinker, ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator, and Degussa [...]