Open AccessInside-Out 3D Reversible Ion-Triggered Shape-Morphing Hydrogels
Author(s) -
Xuemin Du,
Huanqing Cui,
Qilong Zhao,
J. Wang,
H. Chen,
Y. Wang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.8
H-Index - 16
ISSN - 2639-5274
DOI - 10.1155/2019/6398296
Subject(s) - morphing , self healing hydrogels , materials science , nanotechnology , soft robotics , ion , biocompatible material , swelling , tissue engineering , regeneration (biology) , computer science , actuator , biomedical engineering , chemistry , composite material , artificial intelligence , polymer chemistry , engineering , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Shape morphing is a critical aptitude for the survival of organisms and is determined by anisotropic tissue composition and directional orientation of micro- and nanostructures within cell walls, resulting in different swelling behaviors. Recent efforts have been dedicated to mimicking the behaviors that nature has perfected over billions of years. We present a robust strategy for preparing 3D periodically patterned single-component sodium alginate hydrogel sheets cross-linked with Ca 2+ ions, which can reversibly deform and be retained into various desirable inside-out shapes as triggered by biocompatible ions (Na + /Ca 2+ ). By changing the orientations of the patterned microchannels or triggering with Na + /Ca 2+ ions, various 3D twisting, tubular, and plant-inspired architectures can be facilely programmed. Not only can the transformation recover their initial shapes reversibly, but also it can keep the designated shapes without continuous stimuli. These inside-out 3D reversible ion-triggered hydrogel transformations shall inspire more attractive applications in tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and soft robotics fields.