Abstract. We develop a general theory of the swelling kinetics of polymer gels, with the view that a polymer gel is a two-phase fluid. The model we propose is a free boundary problem and can be used to understand both contraction and swelling, including complete dissolving or dehydration of polymeric gels. We show that the equations of motion satisfy a minimum energy dissipation rate principle ...

Recent developments in small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) investigations on polymer gels are reviewed by encompassing (i) volume phase transition and microphase separation, (ii) inhomogeneities in polymer gels, (iii) pressure dependence of hydrophobic interaction and (iv) structural characterization of super-tough gels. These developments owe much to the understanding of gel inhomogeneities ...

Statement of Purpose: Currently, a many kinds of biomaterials have been researched and developed for bone regeneration. We also have created novel biomineral/agarose composite gels as biocompatible and biodegradable bone graft materials. These gels have osteoconductive property, but the applications of them alone have limitations on bone augmentation. For effective tissue regeneration, the role...

Soft foods like gels, which are often used as care foods, usually processed with the tongue (i.e, squeezing) by elderly consumers chewing difficulty. However, little is known about squeezing, especially relationship between individual function and squeezing behavior, such average pressure per cycle (ATPS) number of squeezes until swallowing. The aim this study was to evaluate behavior from both...

In this work, we experimentally investigate into one step solvent exchange of cylindrical shaped whey protein isolate (WPI) gels, where the pore fluid water inside pores is replaced by ethanol. Solvent has three major impacts on macroscopic gel properties, leading to an increase in compressive strength, shrinkage cylinders diameter and consequently a change spatial distribution. 1D-Raman spectr...

Collagen gels are promising scaffolds to prepare an implant for cartilage repair but several parameters, such as collagen concentration and composition as well as cell density, should be carefully considered, as they are reported to affect phenotypic aspects of chondrocytes. In this study we investigated whether the presence of collagen type I or II in gel lattices affects matrix contraction an...

Purpose: To compare the mucoadhesive performance of grewia polysaccharide gum with those of guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carbopol 971P. Methods: Grewia polysaccharide gum compacts or gels as well as those of guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or carbopol 971P were prepared. Texturometric and tensile analysis of the polymer gels...