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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

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Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

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The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into...
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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

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The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
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Social Traps01:41

Social Traps

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Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
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Radicals adjacent to electron-donating groups are called nucleophilic radicals. These radicals readily react with electrophilic alkenes. The SOMO–LUMO interactions are the driving force for the reaction, where the high-energy SOMO of the electron-rich, nucleophilic radicals interacts with the low-energy LUMO of the electron-deficient, electrophilic alkenes. Such SOMO–LUMO interactions are the basis of reactive radical traps, affecting the selectivity in radical reactions. For...
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Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
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Thread-Like Radical-Polymerization via Autonomously Propelled (TRAP) Bots.

Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava1, Fatemeh Ajalloueian1, Anja Boisen1

  • 1Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Healthcare Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Lyngby, Denmark.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Autonomous microbots create thread-like hydrogels for cell encapsulation and biomedical applications. These TRAP bots enable in situ polymerization and easy separation, paving the way for advanced tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.

Keywords:
PEGDA hydrogelbiocompatible micromotorsin situ polymerizationlive cell trappingremote tissue culture

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Hydrogel microstructures are crucial for various biomedical applications.
  • Current methods for synthesizing hydrogels lack precise control and in situ capabilities.
  • Artificial microswimmers offer potential for novel material synthesis and manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel method for synthesizing thread-like hydrogel microstructures using autonomous micromotors.
  • To demonstrate the capability of these microbots for in situ polymerization and cell entrapment.
  • To investigate the biocompatibility and separation methods for the synthesized hydrogels.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized catalytic micromotor assemblies (TRAP bots) with preloaded polymerization mixtures.
  • Employed a synergistic combination of platinum (Pt) catalyst, radical initiators (H2O2, FeCl3), and PEGDA monomers.
  • Demonstrated self-propulsion and polymerization triggered by chemical gradients, including in the absence of H2O2.
  • Incorporated a nickel (Ni) layer for magnetic separation and evaluated cellular biocompatibility using LIVE/DEAD and MTS assays.

Main Results:

  • Successfully synthesized elongated, thread-like hydrogel polymers via autonomous radical polymerization.
  • Achieved simultaneous polymerization and self-propulsion of the micromotors.
  • Demonstrated efficient entrapment of NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells within the hydrogel microstructures.
  • Confirmed cellular biocompatibility and viability over a 7-day observation period.
  • Established effective separation of hydrogel constructs via centrifugation and magnetic manipulation.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the first real-time in situ hydrogel polymerization mediated by artificial microswimmers (TRAP bots).
  • The developed technology enables the enmeshing of biotic and abiotic objects within hydrogel microstructures.
  • These findings lay a strong foundation for advanced applications in cell/tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cleaner technologies.