Addition of perfluorocarbons to alginate hydrogels significantly impacts molecular transport and fracture stress

Advanced alginate-based hydrogels

The search for suitable three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds analogous to the natural extracellular matrices is a central task in the field of tissue engineering (TE). These scaffolds should deliver cells to the desired site in the patient’s body supporting the formation of new tissue [1]. Various hydrogels have recently been used to mimic the extracellular matrix of several tissues; however the ad...

Addition of Fillers to Sodium Alginate Solution Improves Stability and Immobilization Capacity of the Resulting Calcium Alginate Beads

Background: Although advantages of immobilization of cells through entrapment in calcium alginate gel beads have already been demonstrated, nevertheless, instability of the beads and the mass transfer limitations remain as the major challenges.Objective: The objective of the present study was to increase the stability, porosity (reduce mass transfer limit...

Midkine Deficiency Significantly Impacts Fracture Healing in Mice

Fatigue fracture of hydrogels

Rapid advances are taking place to develop hydrogels of high stretchability and toughness, but fatigue fracture has not been studied for any hydrogels. This negligence hinders the development of hydrogels and their applications. Herewe initiate a study of fatigue fracture of hydrogels.We choose polyacrylamide hydrogel as a model material. To place fatigue fracture in context, we apply monotonic...

Basic mechanisms of gas transport and past research using perfluorocarbons.

Perfluorocarbon compounds have been utilized either in pure (neat) form or as emulsions suspended in aqueous fluids. These man-made chemicals possess a unique physical property allowing them to dissolve much more respiratory gases than any water-based system. Understanding the basic physical chemistry surrounding these emerging medical technologies will assure they are utilized to maximum benef...