Multi-material 3D Printing of Mechanochromic Double Network Hydrogels for On-Demand Patterning

Abstract

Cephalopods can change their color and patterns by activating the skin chromatophores for camouflage. However, in the man-made soft material systems, it is greatly challenging to fabricate the color-change structure in the desired patterns and shapes. Herein, we employ a multi-material microgel direct ink writing (DIW) printing method to make mechanochromic double network hydrogels in arbitrary shapes. We prepare the microparticles by grinding the freeze-dried polyelectrolyte hydrogel and immobilize the microparticles in the precursor solution to produce the printing ink. The polyelectrolyte microgels contain mechanophores as the cross-linkers. We adjust the rheological and printing properties of the microgel ink by tailoring the grinding time of freeze-dried hydrogels and microgel concentration. The multi-material DIW 3D printing technique is utilized to fabricate various 3D hydrogel structures which could change into a colorful pattern in response to applied force. The microgel printing strategy shows great potential in the fabrication of the mechanochromic device with arbitrary patterns and shapes.

3D‐Printed Functional Hydrogel by DNA‐Induced Biomineralization for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing

“…The most notable advantage of hydrogel 3D printing is that it can create an on‐demand customized structure that fits in the wound site. [ 93 , 94 ] As an approach to verify the feasibility of the 3D‐printed DNA‐bSi@FSA hydrogel for generating a tailored structure, three different designs (i.e., circular, triangular, and polygonal structures) were printed with non‐lattice and lattice patterns. As shown in Figure S7A (Supporting Information), six types of hydrogel scaffolds were successfully produced with identical dimensions.…”

Intracellular infection-responsive macrophage-targeted nanoparticles for synergistic antibiotic immunotherapy of bacterial infection

“…aureus is an opportunistic pathogen and causes approximately 80-90% of all skin and soft tissue infections. 52 Van is the preferable choice for eradication of S. aureus. However, Van may have serious adverse effects, including kidney damage, thrombophlebitis, Red Man syndrome, and epidermal necrolysis, possibly leading to toxic symptoms that are worse than the infection.…”

Multimaterial Hydrogel 3D Printing

“…Inspired by cephalopods capable of changing their skin color for camouflage, Xu et al 3D-printed mechanochromic double network hydrogels which changed color in response to stress. [109] First, polyelectrolyte networks were prepared consisting of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) and N,N'methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA), with either hybrid phenolrhodamine or triacrylic ester of rhodamine as mechanophores. These hydrogels were then ground into microparticles and swollen in solutions containing acrylamide and MBA.…”