Bidirectional thermo-regulating hydrogel composite for autonomic thermal homeostasis

Release and Transport of Nanomaterials from Hydrogels Controlled by Temperature

Understanding the transport of nanoparticles from and within hydrogels is a key issue for the design of nanocomposite hydrogels for drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. To investigate the translocation of nanocarriers from and within hydrogel networks triggered by changes of temperature, ultrasmall (8 nm) and small (80 nm) silica nanocapsules are embedded in temperature-responsive hydrogels and non-responsive hydrogels. The ultrasmall silica nanocapsules are released from temperature-responsive hydrogels to water or transported to other hydrogels upon direct activation by heating or indirect activation by Joule heating; while, they are not released from non-responsive hydrogel. Programmable transport of nanocarriers from and in hydrogels provides insights for the development of complex biomedical devices and soft robotics.

Artificial Homeostasis Systems Based on Feedback Reaction Networks: Design Principles and Future Promises

Feedback-controlled chemical reaction networks (FCRNs) are indispensable for various biological processes, such as cellular mechanisms, patterns, and signaling pathways. Through the intricate interplay of many feedback loops (FLs), FCRNs maintain a stable internal cellular environment. Currently, creating minimalistic synthetic cells is the long-term objective of systems chemistry, which is motivated by such natural integrity. The design, kinetic optimization, and analysis of FCRNs to exhibit functions akin to those of a cell still pose significant challenges. Indeed, reaching synthetic homeostasis is essential for engineering synthetic cell components. However, maintaining homeostasis in artificial systems against various agitations is a difficult task. Several biological events can provide us with guidelines for a conceptual understanding of homeostasis, which can be further applicable in designing artificial synthetic systems. In this regard, we organize our review with artificial homeostasis systems driven by FCRNs at different length scales, including homogeneous, compartmentalized, and soft material systems. First, we stretch a quick overview of FCRNs in different molecular and supramolecular systems, which are the essential toolbox for engineering different nonlinear functions and homeostatic systems. Moreover, the existing history of synthetic homeostasis in chemical and material systems and their advanced functions with self-correcting, and regulating properties are also emphasized.