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Spatiotemporal toughness modulation in hydrogels through on-demand cross-linking
Jihun Lee1, Rogerio M Castilho2,3, Sungmin Nam1,3,4
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Science Advances
|October 10, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel hydrogel platform for precise control over material properties. This innovation allows for on-demand tuning of toughness and stiffness in soft materials for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Tough hydrogels offer resilience and biocompatibility for soft robotics and bioelectronics.
- Precise spatiotemporal control over hydrogel mechanics is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a hydrogel platform enabling spatiotemporal modulation of toughness.
- To achieve user-defined tuning of stiffness and mechanical profiles in 3D hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Embedding calcium carbonate (CaCO3) microparticles in alginate/polyacrylamide double-network hydrogels.
- Utilizing direct ink writing for spatial control of CaCO3.
- Employing glucono-δ-lactone for temporal activation and calcium release.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated spatiotemporal control of ionic cross-linking via localized calcium release.
- Enabled user-defined tuning of hydrogel stiffness and toughness.
- Fabricated 3D hydrogels with tailored mechanical properties.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel platform offers a versatile solution for adaptive, reconfigurable, and multifunctional soft materials.
- Potential applications include anisotropic impact shielding, directional strain sensing, and 3D-printed tissue adhesives.
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