The success of stem cell therapies is highly dependent on the ability to control their programmed differentiation. So far, it is commonly believed that the differentiation behavior of stem cells is supposed to be identical when they are cultured on the same homogeneous platform. However, in this report, we show that this is not always true. By utilizing a double-ion-triggered shape memory effec...

Microfluidic devices present the basis of modern life sciences and chemical information processing. To control the flow and to allow optical readout, a reliable sensor material that can be easily utilized for microfluidic systems is in demand. Here, we present a new optical readout system for pH sensing based on pH sensitive, photoluminescent glutathione capped cadmium telluride quantum dots th...

A G-rich nucleic acid-tethered acrylamide/N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) copolymer is prepared. The nucleic acid-modified pNIPAM chains assemble, in the presence of K ions, into a stimuli-responsive G-quadruplex-crosslinked pNIPAM hydrogel undergoing cyclic and reversible solution/hydrogel/solid transitions. Addition of kryptofix [2.2.2], CP, to the K-stabilized G-quadruplex-crosslinked hydrogel...

pH-responsive hydrogels are capable of converting chemical energy to mechanical work. To optimize their use as actuators, their response when operating against an external load must be fully characterized. Here, the actuation strain of a model pH-sensitive hydrogel as a function of different constant loads is studied. The experimental actuation strain, produced by switching the pH from 2 to 12,...

Conductive flexible hydrogel composites were printed on paper substrates using a functional ink, whichwas designed and formulated for screen-printing. The inkswere prepared using abundant and eco-friendlymaterials by blending carbon fibers into thematrix of a water-soluble cellulose derivative, carboxymethyl cellulose. For an optimal concentration of carbon fibers (10wt.%), the printed patterns...

Microgels are important materials for both basic science and engineering and have wide applications from the study of phase transitions to the delivery of drugs. These micron and sub-micron particles, made of hydrogel materials, respond to solvent conditions. The most common microgels are environmentally sensitive, responding to temperature and pH. Our material of interest, poly (N-isopropylacr...

Purpose. To evaluate the feasibility of regional radiochemotherapy of mammary tumors using in situ hydrogel loaded with cisplatin (CDDP) and rhenium-188 (Re). Methods. Sodium alginate (SA) and calcium chloride were used to create a hydrogel for delivery of CDDP and Re. In vitro studies were performed to evaluate cytotoxic effects of Re-hydrogel and sustained-release ability of the CDDP-hydrogel...

A comparative study on the effect of different immobilization methods and matrix materials on the performance of copper(II)-sensitive membrane layers is presented. The indicator dye Zincon was immobilized in hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers by various methods including: (a) physical entrapment of the Zincon-tetraoctylammonium ion pair in plasticized PVC, hydrogel, polystyrene, ethyl cellulo...

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...

Acylated xylan-based magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite hydrogels (ACX-MNP-gels) were prepared by fabricating Fe₃O₄ nanoctahedra in situ within a hydrogel matrix which was synthesized by the copolymerization of acylated xylan (ACX) with acrylamide and N-isopropylacrylamide under ultraviolet irradiation. The size of the Fe₃O₄ fabricated within the hydrogel matrix could be adjusted through controlling ...