Rapid, high resolution screening of biomaterial hydrogelators by μ2rheology.
A combination of sample manipulation and rheological characterization at the microscale is used to identify the gelation of poly(ethylene glycol)-heparin hydrogels over a wide range of compositions. A microfluidic device produces 50-100 droplet samples, each with a different composition. Multiple particle tracking microrheology is used to measure the rheological state of each sample. This combination requires little material and enables efficient and rapid screening of gelation conditions. The high resolution data identifies the gelation reaction percolation boundaries and a lower limit of the total hydrogelator concentration for gelation to occur, which can be used for the subsequent engineering, testing, and processing of these materials.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.
Kelly M
KM
Schultz
Alexandra V
AV
Bayles
Aaron D
AD
Baldwin
Kristi L
KL
Kiick
Eric M
EM
Furst
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006493:Heparin