Stratified Polymer Grafts: Synthesis and Characterization of Layered Brush and Gel Structures

These complex systems often consist of mechanically graded structures that resist and respond to external normal and shear forces, and therefore protect underlying tissues from incurring any damage. As an example, the human epidermis consists of keratinizing epithelial cells—an elastic layer with low modulus—buried under a layer of dead cells, the stratum corneum , with higher modulus. The stratifi ed epithelium thus acts as the body’s major barrier against abrasion and inhospitable environments. [ 4,5 ]