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Related Concept Videos

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight01:01

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

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Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight.  So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
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Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

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For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory: Molecular Velocities, Temperature, and Kinetic Energy03:07

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The kinetic molecular theory qualitatively explains the behaviors described by the various gas laws. The postulates of this theory may be applied in a more quantitative fashion to derive these individual laws.
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Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
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Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
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Weighted Mean00:57

Weighted Mean

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While taking the arithmetic, geometric, or harmonic mean of a sample data set, equal importance is assigned to all the data points. However, all the values may not always be equally important in some data sets. An intrinsic bias might make it more important to give more weightage to specific values over others.
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Author Spotlight: Improving the Production of Self-Assembling Fibers and Peptide Hydrogels for Superior Biocompatibility
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Sub-zero temperature mechanically stable low molecular weight hydrogels.

Alice E R Fayter1, Matthew I Gibson1,2, Emily R Draper3

  • 1Department of Chemistry , University of Warwick , CV4 7AL , UK.

Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|December 18, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel low molecular weight hydrogelator from a functionalized dipeptide, stable at -12°C in water. Adding glycerol extends stability to -40°C, enabling cryopreservation applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Hydrogels are water-swollen polymer networks with diverse applications.
  • Low-temperature stability is a critical challenge for hydrogel applications, especially in cryopreservation.
  • Existing hydrogels often lose structural integrity and functionality at sub-zero temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a low molecular weight hydrogelator with enhanced low-temperature stability.
  • To investigate the effect of glycerol-water mixtures on hydrogel freezing point depression.
  • To assess the rheological properties of the hydrogel at low temperatures for potential cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of a functionalized dipeptide-based hydrogelator.
  • Preparation of hydrogels using >99% water and water-glycerol mixtures.
  • Low-temperature stability testing and rheological property measurements.

Main Results:

  • The hydrogelator formed stable hydrogels at -12°C in pure water.
  • Incorporating glycerol extended the stability of hydrogels to approximately -40°C.
  • The hydrogels maintained their rheological properties at low temperatures, outperforming glycerol-water mixtures alone.

Conclusions:

  • Functionalized dipeptide hydrogelators offer exceptional low-temperature stability.
  • Glycerol-water mixtures significantly enhance hydrogel freezing point depression.
  • These findings present a novel approach for transporting and utilizing hydrogels at much lower working temperatures, beneficial for cryopreservation.