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Surface Molding of Microscale Hydrogels with Microactuation Functionality
Author(s) -
Bowen John J.,
Rose Mark A.,
Konda Abhiteja,
Morin Stephen A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201710612
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , materials science , molding (decorative) , prepolymer , self healing hydrogels , elastomer , fabrication , microstructure , lithography , nanotechnology , soft lithography , surface (topology) , composite material , polymer chemistry , geometry , optoelectronics , medicine , mathematics education , mathematics , alternative medicine , pathology , polyurethane
Abstract This work describes the fabrication of numerous hydrogel microstructures (μ‐gels) via a process called “surface molding.” Chemically patterned elastomeric‐assembly substrates were used to organize and manipulate the geometry of liquid prepolymer microdroplets, which, following photo‐initiated crosslinking, maintained the desired morphology. By adjusting the state of strain during the crosslinking process, a continua of structures could be created using one pattern. These arrays of μ‐gels have stimuli‐responsive properties that are directly applicable to actuation where the basis shape and array geometry of the μ‐gels can be used to rationally generate microactuators with programmed motions. As a method, “surface molding,” represents a powerful addition to the soft‐lithographic toolset that can be readily applied to the simultaneous synthesis of large numbers of geometrically and functionally distinct polymeric microstructures.