title: Conductive hydrogels: mechanically robust hybrids for use as biomaterials.
abstract: A hybrid system for producing conducting polymers within a doping hydrogel mesh is presented. These conductive hydrogels demonstrate comparable electroactivity to conventional conducting polymers without requiring the need for mobile doping ions which are typically used in literature. These hybrids have superior mechanical stability and a modulus significantly closer to neural tissue than materials which are commonly used for medical electrodes. Additionally they are shown to support the attachment and differentiation of neural like cells, with improved interaction when compared to homogeneous hydrogels. The system provides flexibility such that biologic incorporation can be tailored for application.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia. r.green@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Rylie A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Rachelle T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Hassarati
authors.forename: Josef A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Goding
authors.forename: Sungchul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Nigel H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lovell
authors.forename: Penny J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Poole-Warren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D006493:Heparin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D016716:PC12 Cells; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D058105:Polymerization; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D006493:Heparin