Abstract: The present disclosure relates to triblock and pentablock copolymers and methods of making thereof. Aspects of the disclosure further relate to block copolymer hydrogels that exhibit both fatigue resistance and fracture resistance with superior rates of recovery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to triblock and pentablock copolymers and methods of making thereof. Aspects of the disclosure further relate to block copolymer hydrogels that exhibit both fatigue resistance and fracture resistance with superior rates of recovery.

Abstract: Provided herein is a soft tissue mimetic formed from a block copolymer hydrogel and methods of making such. The hydrogel comprises a glass formed from a dry blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (SO) and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SOS) in a molar ratio from between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/SO-SOS by weight. The soft tissue mimetic has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles.

Abstract: Provided herein is a block copolymer hydrogel, comprising a glass formed from a dry blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (SO) and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SOS) in a molar ratio from between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/SO—SOS by weight. The block copolymer hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles. Also provided are methods for forming the hydrogel.

Abstract: Provided herein is a soft tissue mimetic formed from a block copolymer hydrogel and methods of making such. The hydrogel comprises a glass formed from a dry blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (SO) and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SOS) in a molar ratio from between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/SO-SOS by weight. The soft tissue mimetic has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles.

Abstract: Provided herein is a block copolymer hydrogel, comprising a glass formed from a dry blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (SO) and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SOS) in a molar ratio from between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/SO—SOS by weight. The block copolymer hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles. Also provided are methods for forming the hydrogel.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymeric material comprising a polymer host; and a guest molecule comprising a glycosaminoglycan; wherein the guest molecule is disposed within the polymer host, and wherein the guest molecule is covalently bonded to at least one other guest molecule. In some embodiments, the polymer host comprises a silicone-based polymer. In other embodiments, the glycosaminoglycan is chosen from hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoplastic elastomer hydrogel and methods of making such. The hydrogel comprises a glass formed from poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) in which the coronal chain end has been functionalized with photodimerizable groups (AB-photo) and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/AB-photo by weight. The hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoplastic elastomer hydrogel and methods of making such. The hydrogel comprises a glass formed from poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) in which the coronal chain end has been functionalized with photodimerizable groups (AB-photo) and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/AB-photo by weight. The hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles.

Abstract: Example devices and methods of tongue stimulation for communication of information to a user are disclosed herein. In an example, a tongue stimulation device may include a body configured to be placed entirely within a mouth of the user and atop the tongue of the user. An array of electro-tactile elements may be distributed on the body, wherein each of the electro-tactile elements is configured to stimulate an area of the tongue adjacent the electro-tactile element. A wireless receiver coupled to the body may be configured to receive stimulation information wirelessly from outside the mouth of the user. At least one processing unit coupled to the body may be configured to transform the received stimulation information into a stimulation signal for each of the electro-tactile elements, and to provide the stimulation signals to the electro-tactile elements.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymeric material comprising a polymer host; and a guest molecule comprising a glycosaminoglycan; wherein the guest molecule is disposed within the polymer host, and wherein the guest molecule is covalently bonded to at least one other guest molecule. In some embodiments, the polymer host comprises a silicone-based polymer. In other embodiments, the glycosaminoglycan is chosen from hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Example devices and methods of tongue stimulation for communication of information to a user are disclosed herein. In an example, a tongue stimulation device may include a body configured to be placed entirely within a mouth of the user and atop the tongue of the user. An array of electro-tactile elements may be distributed on the body, wherein each of the electro-tactile elements is configured to stimulate an area of the tongue adjacent the electro-tactile element. A wireless receiver coupled to the body may be configured to receive stimulation information wirelessly from outside the mouth of the user. At least one processing unit coupled to the body may be configured to transform the received stimulation information into a stimulation signal for each of the electro-tactile elements, and to provide the stimulation signals to the electro-tactile elements.