Abstract: Hydrogel-elastomer hybrids with interfacial bonding tougher than epidermis-dermis interfaces and functional micro-channels and micro-patterns can be created by pre-shaping both elastomers and hydrogels before bonding to conserve their micro-structures, modifying cured elastomer surfaces with benzophenone for chemical bonding with hydrogels, and harnessing dissipative properties of tough hydrogels to achieve robust interfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for active biofouling control. According to an aspect, a device comprising a surface for contacting a biological material. The device also comprises a mechanism comprising a structure configured to change the surface between a first shape and a second shape. The change from the first shape to the second shape deforms the surface beyond a critical strain for debonding of a fouling agent from the surface when the fouling agent has bonded to the surface in the first shape.

Abstract: Catheters for debonding fouling agents from an interior surface thereof and related methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a catheter includes a lumen defining a flexible, interior surface that extends substantially along a length of the lumen for contacting a biological material. The catheter also includes cavities extending along the length and positioned within the lumen adjacent to the surface. The cavities each define a cavity opening. The catheter also includes an inflation hub defining hub openings connected to respective cavity openings. The inflation hub defines a pump port configured to interface with a pump. The inflation hub defines one or more fluid pathways that extend between the hub openings and the pump port for permitting flow of gas between the pump and the cavities.

Abstract: A method for making a tough and compliant hydrogel. A precursor hydrogel is made of a first polymer selected to maintain high elasticity and a second polymer selected to dissipate mechanical energy. The precursor hydrogel is stretched to a multiple of its original length to form a pre-stretched hydrogel. The pre-stretched hydrogel is allowed to relax and is soaked in a biocompatible solvent to reach equilibrium swelling of the pre-stretched hydrogel whereby shear modulus of the hydrogel is reduced.

Abstract: Method for making a tough and compliant hydrogel. A precursor hydrogel is made of a first polymer selected to maintain high elasticity and a second polymer selected to dissipate mechanical energy. The precursor hydrogel is stretched to a multiple of its original length to form a pre-stretched hydrogel. The pre-stretched hydrogel is allowed to relax and is soaked in a biocompatible solvent to reach equilibrium swelling of the pre-stretched hydrogel whereby shear modulus of the hydrogel is reduced.

Abstract: Chemically anchoring long-chain polymer networks of tough hydrogels on solid surfaces can represent a general strategy to design tough and functional bonding between hydrogels and solid materials, achieving interfacial toughness over 1000 Jm?2.

Abstract: A tough biocompatible hydrogel having one or more drug delivery components, deformable conductors, and/or rigid electronic components incorporated therein in such a way that robust interfaces are formed between the hydrogel and the various components. The resulting hydrogel device provides a highly deformable hydrogel composite in which the reliability and functionality of the incorporated components are maintained even under states of large deformation, and from which one or more drugs can be delivered in a controlled and sustained manner regardless of the state of deformation.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: Method for making a tough and compliant hydrogel. A precursor hydrogel is made of a first polymer selected to maintain high elasticity and a second polymer selected to dissipate mechanical energy. The precursor hydrogel is stretched to a multiple of its original length to form a pre-stretched hydrogel. The pre-stretched hydrogel is allowed to relax and is soaked in a biocompatible solvent to reach equilibrium swelling of the pre-stretched hydrogel whereby shear modulus of the hydrogel is reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition whose porosity, pore size, pore connectivity, swelling agent concentration, and/or specific volume undergoes a change from a first value to a second value in response to an electromagnetic signal, the composition having a matrix material in which is distributed a magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for active biofouling control. According to an aspect, a device comprising a surface for contacting a biological material. The device also comprises a mechanism comprising a structure configured to change the surface between a first shape and a second shape. The change from the first shape to the second shape deforms the surface beyond a critical strain for debonding of a fouling agent from the surface when the fouling agent has bonded to the surface in the first shape.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition whose porosity, pore size, pore connectivity, swelling agent concentration, and/or specific volume undergoes a change from a first value to a second value in response to an electromagnetic signal, the composition having a matrix material in which is distributed a magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to release drugs from a polymer matrix upon demand without degrading the matrix. By applying ultrasound to a self-healable polymer matrix in physiological environment, compounds of both low-molecular and high-molecular weights encapsulated in the matrix are delivered at controlled rates, while the integrity and stiffness of the matrix are unaffected.