Macromolecule conformational shaping for extreme mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fibers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Mechanical properties of hydrogels are vital for advanced devices like wearables and energy harvesters.
• Tuning extreme mechanical properties of single-composition hydrogels and integrating them into devices remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a macromolecule conformational shaping strategy for mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fiber-based devices.
• To achieve extreme mechanical property tuning and enable diverse applications.

Main Methods:

• Controlled macromolecule conformation from coiling to extending states using pH-dependent antisolvent phase separation.
• Fabrication of structured hydrogel microfibers with tunable mechanical properties.

Main Results:

• Hydrogel microfibers exhibit extreme mechanical integrity with modulus spanning four orders of magnitude.
• Achieved tunable mechanical behaviors from brittleness to ultrastretchability, and plasticity to elasticity.
• Demonstrated hydrogel microfibers in layered formats for advanced electronic applications.

Conclusions:

• The macromolecule conformational shaping strategy enables mechanical programming of hydrogel fibers.
• This approach facilitates the development of hydrogel-based devices with extraordinary mechanical properties for realistic applications.
• Successful implementation in fiber sensors, electronic conductors, and energy harvesters highlights the strategy's potential.