Wrinkle formation on a biocompatible shape memory polymer

Abstract

Ordered wrinkles have been used for a variety of applications and have found much interest in the field of mechanobiology, as topography has been shown to influence cell behavior. In this study we aimed to synthesize a biocompatible material that could be triggered to form wrinkles under physiological conditions. To achieve this aim, we used a shape memory polymer (SMP) substrate to induce surface buckling of a thin gold film resting atop the SMP. The SMP composition was tuned to allow for surface buckling to occur under cell culture compatible conditions. The SMP was strained to different values prior to buckling and the resulting wavelength and amplitude for each strain was characterized. Increasing the strain allowed for smaller wavelengths and larger wrinkle amplitudes. Preliminary cell culture experiments showed high cell viability and cell alignment atop the wrinkled topography.