Hydrogel morphogenesis induced by force- controlled growth

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Wang, Zhi Jian; Lin, Ji; Nakajima, Tasuku; Gong, Jian Ping
• 署名单位: Hokkaido University; Hokkaido University; Ningbo University; Hokkaido University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-14417
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402587121
• 发表日期: 2024-07-02
• 关键词: double-network hydrogels; elastomers; polymer

摘要

Morphogenesis is one of the most marvelous natural phenomena. The morphological characteristics of biological organs develop through growth, which is often triggered by mechanical force. In this study, we propose a bioinspired strategy for hydrogel morphogenesis through force - controlled chemical reaction and growth under isothermal conditions. We adopted a double network (DN) hydrogel with sacrificial bonds. Applying mechanical force to the gel caused deformation and sacrificial bond rupture. By supplying monomers to the gel, the radicals generated by the bond rupture triggered the formation of a new network inside the deformed gel. This new network conferred plasticity to the elastic gel, allowing it to maintain its deformed shape, along with increased volume and strength. We demonstrated that sheet - shaped DN hydrogels rapidly adopted various three - dimensional shapes at ambient temperature when subjected to forces such as drawing and blowing. This mechanism enables morphogenesis of elastic hydrogels and will promote the application of these materials in biomedical fields and soft machines.