Cryogel Micromechanics Unraveled by Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Nanoindentation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Cell-instructive physical characteristics of macroporous scaffolds, developed for tissue engineering applications, often remain difficult to assess. Here, an atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation approach is adapted to quantify the local mechanical properties of biohybrid glycosaminoglycan-poly(ethylene glycol) cryogels. Resulting from cryoconcentration effects upon gel formation, cryogel struts are observed to feature a higher stiffness compared to the corresponding bulk hydrogel materials. Local Young's moduli, porosity, and integral moduli of the cryogel scaffolds are compared in dependence on gel formation parameters. The results provide valuable insights into the cryogelation process and a base for adjusting physical characteristics of the obtained cryogel scaffolds, which can critically influence the cellular response.
Details
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1849-1853 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Advanced healthcare materials |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2014 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 24729299 |
---|---|
ORCID | /0000-0003-0189-3448/work/161890462 |
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- AFM-based nanoindentation, Cryoconcentration, Macroporous scaffolds, Micromechanical properties, StarPEG-heparin hydrogels