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Nguyen DM, Lo CY, Guo T, Choi T, Sundar S, Swain Z, Wu Y, Dhong C, Kayser LV. One Pot Photomediated Formation of Electrically Conductive Hydrogels. ACS POLYMERS AU 2024; 4:34-44. [PMID: 38371732 PMCID: PMC10870748 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.3c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Electrically conductive hydrogels represent an innovative platform for the development of bioelectronic devices. While photolithography technologies have enabled the fabrication of complex architectures with high resolution, photoprinting conductive hydrogels is still a challenging task because the conductive polymer absorbs light which can outcompete photopolymerization of the insulating scaffold. In this study, we introduce an approach to synthesizing conductive hydrogels in one step. Our approach combines the simultaneous photo-cross-linking of a polymeric scaffold and the polymerization of 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT), without additional photocatalysts. This process involves the copolymerization of photo-cross-linkable coumarin-containing monomers with sodium styrenesulfonate to produce a water-soluble poly(styrenesulfonate-co-coumarin acrylate) (P(SS-co-CoumAc)) copolymer. Our findings reveal that optimizing the [SS]:[CoumAc] ratio at 100:5 results in hydrogels with the strain at break up to 16%. This mechanical resilience is coupled with an electronic conductivity of 9.2 S m-1 suitable for wearable electronics. Furthermore, the conductive hydrogels can be photopatterned to achieve micrometer-sized structures with high resolution. The photo-cross-linked hydrogels are used as electrodes to record stable and reliable surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. These novel photo-cross-linkable polymers combined with one-pot PEDOT (poly-EDOT) polymerization open possibilities for rapidly prototyping complex bioelectronic devices and creating custom-designed interfaces between electronics and biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan My Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Chun-Yuan Lo
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Tianzheng Guo
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Taewook Choi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Shalini Sundar
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Zachary Swain
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Yuhang Wu
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Charles Dhong
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Laure V. Kayser
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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2
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Tropp J, Collins CP, Xie X, Daso RE, Mehta AS, Patel SP, Reddy MM, Levin SE, Sun C, Rivnay J. Conducting Polymer Nanoparticles with Intrinsic Aqueous Dispersibility for Conductive Hydrogels. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2306691. [PMID: 37680065 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Conductive hydrogels are promising materials with mixed ionic-electronic conduction to interface living tissue (ionic signal transmission) with medical devices (electronic signal transmission). The hydrogel form factor also uniquely bridges the wet/soft biological environment with the dry/hard environment of electronics. The synthesis of hydrogels for bioelectronics requires scalable, biocompatible fillers with high electronic conductivity and compatibility with common aqueous hydrogel formulations/resins. Despite significant advances in the processing of carbon nanomaterials, fillers that satisfy all these requirements are lacking. Herein, intrinsically dispersible acid-crystalized PEDOT:PSS nanoparticles (ncrys-PEDOTX ) are reported which are processed through a facile and scalable nonsolvent induced phase separation method from commercial PEDOT:PSS without complex instrumentation. The particles feature conductivities of up to 410 S cm-1 , and when compared to other common conductive fillers, display remarkable dispersibility, enabling homogeneous incorporation at relatively high loadings within diverse aqueous biomaterial solutions without additives or surfactants. The aqueous dispersibility of the ncrys-PEDOTX particles also allows simple incorporation into resins designed for microstereolithography without sonication or surfactant optimization; complex biomedical structures with fine features (< 150 µm) are printed with up to 10% particle loading . The ncrys-PEDOTX particles overcome the challenges of traditional conductive fillers, providing a scalable, biocompatible, plug-and-play platform for soft organic bioelectronic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Tropp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Caralyn P Collins
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Xinran Xie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Rachel E Daso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Abijeet Singh Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Shiv P Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Manideep M Reddy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Sophia E Levin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Cheng Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Jonathan Rivnay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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Lopez-Larrea N, Gallastegui A, Lezama L, Criado-Gonzalez M, Casado N, Mecerreyes D. Fast Visible-Light 3D Printing of Conductive PEDOT:PSS Hydrogels. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2300229. [PMID: 37357826 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Functional inks for light-based 3D printing are actively being searched for being able to exploit all the potentialities of additive manufacturing. Herein, a fast visible-light photopolymerization process is showed of conductive PEDOT:PSS hydrogels. For this purpose, a new Type II photoinitiator system (PIS) based on riboflavin (Rf), triethanolamine (TEA), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is investigated for the visible light photopolymerization of acrylic monomers. PEDOT:PSS has a dual role by accelerating the photoinitiation process and providing conductivity to the obtained hydrogels. Using this PIS, full monomer conversion is achieved in less than 2 min using visible light. First, the PIS mechanism is studied, proposing that electron transfer between the triplet excited state of the dye (3 Rf*) and the amine (TEA) is catalyzed by PEDOT:PSS. Second, a series of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate)/PEDOT:PSS hydrogels with different compositions are obtained by photopolymerization. The presence of PEDOT:PSS negatively influences the swelling properties of hydrogels, but significantly increases its mechanical modulus and electrical properties. The new PIS is also tested for 3D printing in a commercially available Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printer (405 nm wavelength), obtaining high resolution and 500 µm hole size conductive scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naroa Lopez-Larrea
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, 20018, Spain
| | - Antonela Gallastegui
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, 20018, Spain
| | - Luis Lezama
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, Bizkaia, 48940, Spain
| | - Miryam Criado-Gonzalez
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, 20018, Spain
| | - Nerea Casado
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - David Mecerreyes
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
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Tehrany PM, Rahmanian P, Rezaee A, Ranjbarpazuki G, Sohrabi Fard F, Asadollah Salmanpour Y, Zandieh MA, Ranjbarpazuki A, Asghari S, Javani N, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Hashemi M, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Motahari A, Hushmandi K. Multifunctional and theranostic hydrogels for wound healing acceleration: An emphasis on diabetic-related chronic wounds. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117087. [PMID: 37716390 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels represent intricate three-dimensional polymeric structures, renowned for their compatibility with living systems and their ability to naturally degrade. These networks stand as promising and viable foundations for a range of biomedical uses. The practical feasibility of employing hydrogels in clinical trials has been well-demonstrated. Among the prevalent biomedical uses of hydrogels, a significant application arises in the context of wound healing. This intricate progression involves distinct phases of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, often triggered by trauma, skin injuries, and various diseases. Metabolic conditions like diabetes have the potential to give rise to persistent wounds, leading to delayed healing processes. This current review consolidates a collection of experiments focused on the utilization of hydrogels to expedite the recovery of wounds. Hydrogels have the capacity to improve the inflammatory conditions at the wound site, and they achieve this by diminishing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby exhibiting antioxidant effects. Hydrogels have the potential to enhance the growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes at the wound site. They also possess the capability to inhibit both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, effectively managing wounds infected by drug-resistant bacteria. Hydrogels can trigger angiogenesis and neovascularization processes, while also promoting the M2 polarization of macrophages, which in turn mitigates inflammation at the wound site. Intelligent and versatile hydrogels, encompassing features such as pH sensitivity, reactivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS), and responsiveness to light and temperature, have proven advantageous in expediting wound healing. Furthermore, hydrogels synthesized using environmentally friendly methods, characterized by high levels of biocompatibility and biodegradability, hold the potential for enhancing the wound healing process. Hydrogels can facilitate the controlled discharge of bioactive substances. More recently, there has been progress in the creation of conductive hydrogels, which, when subjected to electrical stimulation, contribute to the enhancement of wound healing. Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, leads to a slowdown in the wound healing process, often resulting in the formation of persistent wounds. Hydrogels have the capability to expedite the healing of diabetic wounds, facilitating the transition from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative stage. The current review sheds light on the biological functionalities of hydrogels, encompassing their role in modulating diverse mechanisms and cell types, including inflammation, oxidative stress, macrophages, and bacteriology. Additionally, this review emphasizes the significance of smart hydrogels with responsiveness to external stimuli, as well as conductive hydrogels for promoting wound healing. Lastly, the discussion delves into the advancement of environmentally friendly hydrogels with high biocompatibility, aimed at accelerating the wound healing process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parham Rahmanian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aryan Rezaee
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golnaz Ranjbarpazuki
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farima Sohrabi Fard
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Arad Zandieh
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ranjbarpazuki
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajedeh Asghari
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Babol, Iran
| | - Nazanin Javani
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alireza Motahari
- Board-Certified in Veterinary Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Lakdusinghe M, Mooney M, Ahmad H, Chu I, Rondeau-Gagné S, Kundu S. Gels of Semiconducting Polymers in Benign Solvents. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:12283-12291. [PMID: 37611231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Gels of semiconducting polymers have many potential applications, including biomedical devices and sensors. Here, we report a self-assembled gel system consisting of isoindigo-based semiconducting polymers with galactose side chains in benign, alcohol-based solvents. Because of the carbohydrate side chains, the modified isoindigo polymers are soluble in alcohols. We obtained thermoreversible gels in 1-propanol using these polymers and di-Fmoc-l-lysine, a molecular gelator. The polymers and molecular gelators have been selected in such a way that they do not have significant physical interactions. The molecular gelator self-assembled to form a fibrous structure that confines the polymer chains in the interstitial spaces of the fibers. The polymer chains formed local aggregations and increased the shear moduli of the gels significantly. Bulky galactose side chains and the less planar nature of the polymer backbone hindered the formation of long-range assembled structures of the polymers. However, the dispersion of polymers throughout the gel samples resulted in a percolated structure in the dried gel films. The bulk electrical conductivity of dried gels confirmed the presence of such percolated structures. Our results demonstrated that carbohydrate-containing conjugated polymers can be combined with molecular gelators to obtain gels in eco-friendly solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhubhashini Lakdusinghe
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Madison Mooney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Humayun Ahmad
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Iwei Chu
- Institute for Imaging & Analytical Technologies (I2AT) of Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Simon Rondeau-Gagné
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Santanu Kundu
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
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Barhoum A, Sadak O, Ramirez IA, Iverson N. Stimuli-bioresponsive hydrogels as new generation materials for implantable, wearable, and disposable biosensors for medical diagnostics: Principles, opportunities, and challenges. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 317:102920. [PMID: 37207377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are excellent water-swollen polymeric materials for use in wearable, implantable, and disposable biosensors. Hydrogels have unique properties such as low cost, ease of preparation, transparency, rapid response to external conditions, biocompatibility and self-adhesion to the skin, flexibility, and strain sensitivity, making them ideal for use in biosensor platforms. This review provides a detailed overview of advanced applications of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in biosensor platforms, from hydrogel synthesis and functionalization for bioreceptor immobilization to several important diagnostic applications. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in the fabrication of ultrasensitive fluorescent and electrically conductive hydrogels and their applications in wearable, implantable, and disposable biosensors for quantitative measurements. Design, modification, and assembly techniques of fluorescent, ionically conductive, and electrically conductive hydrogels to improve performance will be addressed. The advantages and performance improvements of immobilizing bioreceptors (e.g., antibodies, enzymes, and aptamers), and incorporating fluorescent and electrically conductive nanomaterials are described, as are their limitations. Potential applications of hydrogels in implantable, wearable, disposable portable biosensors for quantitative detection of the various bioanalytes (ions, molecules, drugs, proteins, and biomarkers) are discussed. Finally, the global market for hydrogel-based biosensors and future challenges and prospects are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Barhoum
- NanoStruc Research Group, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt; National Center for Sensor Research, School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin 9 D09 Y074, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Omer Sadak
- Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ardahan University, Ardahan, Turkey
| | - Ivon Acosta Ramirez
- Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Nicole Iverson
- Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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Yao Z, Lundqvist E, Kuang Y, Ardoña HAM. Engineering Multi-Scale Organization for Biotic and Organic Abiotic Electroactive Systems. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205381. [PMID: 36670065 PMCID: PMC10074131 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Multi-scale organization of molecular and living components is one of the most critical parameters that regulate charge transport in electroactive systems-whether abiotic, biotic, or hybrid interfaces. In this article, an overview of the current state-of-the-art for controlling molecular order, nanoscale assembly, microstructure domains, and macroscale architectures of electroactive organic interfaces used for biomedical applications is provided. Discussed herein are the leading strategies and challenges to date for engineering the multi-scale organization of electroactive organic materials, including biomolecule-based materials, synthetic conjugated molecules, polymers, and their biohybrid analogs. Importantly, this review provides a unique discussion on how the dependence of conduction phenomena on structural organization is observed for electroactive organic materials, as well as for their living counterparts in electrogenic tissues and biotic-abiotic interfaces. Expansion of fabrication capabilities that enable higher resolution and throughput for the engineering of ordered, patterned, and architecture electroactive systems will significantly impact the future of bioelectronic technologies for medical devices, bioinspired harvesting platforms, and in vitro models of electroactive tissues. In summary, this article presents how ordering at multiple scales is important for modulating transport in both the electroactive organic, abiotic, and living components of bioelectronic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze‐Fan Yao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSamueli School of EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
- Department of ChemistrySchool of Physical SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Emil Lundqvist
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSamueli School of EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Yuyao Kuang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSamueli School of EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Herdeline Ann M. Ardoña
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSamueli School of EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
- Department of ChemistrySchool of Physical SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSamueli School of EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
- Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research CenterUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
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