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Nie J, Fu J, He Y. Hydrogels: The Next Generation Body Materials for Microfluidic Chips? SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2003797. [PMID: 33103353 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202003797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The integration of microfluidics with biomedical research is confronted with considerable limitations due to its body materials. With high content of water, hydrogels own superior biocompatibility and degradability. Can hydrogels become another material choice for the construction of microfluidic chips, particularly biofluidics? The present review aims to systematically establish the concept of hydrogel-based microfluidic chips (HMCs) and address three main concerns: i) why choosing hydrogels? ii) how to fabricate HMCs?, and iii) in which fields to apply HMCs? It is envisioned that hydrogels may be used increasingly as substitute for traditional materials and gradually act as the body material for microfluidic chips. The modifications of conventional process are highlighted to overcome issues arising from the incompatibility between the construction methods and hydrogel materials. Specifically targeting at the "soft and wet" hydrogels, an efficient flowchart of "i) high resolution template printing; ii) damage-free demolding; iii) twice-crosslinking bonding" is proposed. Accordingly, a broader microfluidic chip concept is proposed in terms of form and function. Potential biomedical applications of HMCs are discussed. This review also highlights the challenges arising from the material replacement, as well as the future directions of the proposed concept. Finally, the authors' viewpoints and perspectives for this emerging field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jianzhong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
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Sunny Koyagura S, Takehara H, Ichiki T. Chemical Etching Treatment of Polydimethylsiloxane for Smoothing Microchannel Surface. J PHOTOPOLYM SCI TEC 2020. [DOI: 10.2494/photopolymer.33.485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hiroaki Takehara
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM)
| | - Takanori Ichiki
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM)
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Lv S, Nie J, Gao Q, Xie C, Zhou L, Qiu J, Fu J, Zhao X, He Y. Micro/nanofabrication of brittle hydrogels using 3D printed soft ultrafine fiber molds for damage-free demolding. Biofabrication 2020; 12:025015. [PMID: 31726448 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab57d8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are very popular in biomedical areas for their extraordinary biocompatibility. However, most bio-hydrogels are too brittle to perform micro/nanofabrication. An effective method is cast molding; yet during this process, many defects occur as the excessive demolding stress damages the brittle hydrogels. Here, we propose a brand-new damage-free demolding method and a soft ultrafine fiber mold (SUFM) to replace the traditional mold. Both mechanical and finite element analysis (FEA) reveal that SUFMs have obvious advantages especially when the contact area between hydrogel and mold gets larger. By means of a high-resolution 3D printing called electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing, SUFMs with various topological structures can be achieved with the fiber diameter ranging from 500 nm to 100 μm, at a low cost. Microfluidics and cell patterns are implemented as the demonstration for potential applications. Owing to the tiny scale of microstructures and the hydrophilicity of hydrogels, significant capillary effect occurs which can be utilized to deliver liquid and cells autonomously and to seed cells into those ultrafine channels evenly. The results open up a new avenue for a wider use of hydrogels in biomedical devices, tissue engineering, hydrogel-based microfluidics and wearable electronics; the proposed fabrication method also has the potential to become a universal technique for micro/nanofabrication of brittle materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China. Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
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Tian T, Wang J, Wu S, Shao Z, Xiang T, Zhou S. A body temperature and water-induced shape memory hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties. Polym Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py00502a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A body temperature and water-induced shape memory hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties was prepared by crosslinking dopamine-terminated tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) with an oxidation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials
- Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Southwest Jiaotong University
- Chengdu 610031
| | - Jiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials
- Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Southwest Jiaotong University
- Chengdu 610031
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials
- Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Southwest Jiaotong University
- Chengdu 610031
| | - Zijian Shao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials
- Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Southwest Jiaotong University
- Chengdu 610031
| | - Tao Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials
- Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Southwest Jiaotong University
- Chengdu 610031
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials
- Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Southwest Jiaotong University
- Chengdu 610031
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Nie J, Gao Q, Wang Y, Zeng J, Zhao H, Sun Y, Shen J, Ramezani H, Fu Z, Liu Z, Xiang M, Fu J, Zhao P, Chen W, He Y. Vessel-on-a-chip with Hydrogel-based Microfluidics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802368. [PMID: 30307698 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel structures equipped with internal microchannels offer more in vivo-relevant models for construction of tissues and organs in vitro. However, currently used microfabrication methods of constructing microfluidic devices are not suitable for the handling of hydrogel. This study presents a novel method of fabricating hydrogel-based microfluidic chips by combining the casting and bonding processes. A twice cross-linking strategy is designed to obtain a bonding interface that has the same strength with the hydrogel bulk, which can be applied to arbitrary combinations of hydrogels. It is convenient to achieve the construction of hydrogel structures with channels in branched, spiral, serpentine, and multilayer forms. The experimental results show that the combination of gelatin and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) owns the best biocompatibility and can promote cell functionalization. Based on these, a vessel-on-a-chip system with vascular function in both physiological and pathological situations is established, providing a promising model for further investigations such as vascularization, vascular inflammation, tissue engineering, and drug development. Taken together, a facile and cytocompatible approach is developed for engineering a user-defined hydrogel-based chip that can be potentially useful in developing vascularized tissue or organ models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Qing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yidong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jiahui Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Haiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Hamed Ramezani
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zhenliang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zhenjie Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Meixiang Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jianzhong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Children's Hospital Affiliated and Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical School, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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Vedadghavami A, Minooei F, Mohammadi MH, Khetani S, Rezaei Kolahchi A, Mashayekhan S, Sanati-Nezhad A. Manufacturing of hydrogel biomaterials with controlled mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications. Acta Biomater 2017; 62:42-63. [PMID: 28736220 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels have been recognized as crucial biomaterials in the field of tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery applications due to their specific characteristics. These biomaterials benefit from retaining a large amount of water, effective mass transfer, similarity to natural tissues and the ability to form different shapes. However, having relatively poor mechanical properties is a limiting factor associated with hydrogel biomaterials. Controlling the biomechanical properties of hydrogels is of paramount importance. In this work, firstly, mechanical characteristics of hydrogels and methods employed for characterizing these properties are explored. Subsequently, the most common approaches used for tuning mechanical properties of hydrogels including but are not limited to, interpenetrating polymer networks, nanocomposites, self-assembly techniques, and co-polymerization are discussed. The performance of different techniques used for tuning biomechanical properties of hydrogels is further compared. Such techniques involve lithography techniques for replication of tissues with complex mechanical profiles; microfluidic techniques applicable for generating gradients of mechanical properties in hydrogel biomaterials for engineering complex human tissues like intervertebral discs, osteochondral tissues, blood vessels and skin layers; and electrospinning techniques for synthesis of hybrid hydrogels and highly ordered fibers with tunable mechanical and biological properties. We finally discuss future perspectives and challenges for controlling biomimetic hydrogel materials possessing proper biomechanical properties. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Hydrogels biomaterials are essential constituting components of engineered tissues with the applications in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. The mechanical properties of hydrogels play crucial roles in regulating the interactions between cells and extracellular matrix and directing the cells phenotype and genotype. Despite significant advances in developing methods and techniques with the ability of tuning the biomechanical properties of hydrogels, there are still challenges regarding the synthesis of hydrogels with complex mechanical profiles as well as limitations in vascularization and patterning of complex structures of natural tissues which barricade the production of sophisticated organs. Therefore, in addition to a review on advanced methods and techniques for measuring a variety of different biomechanical characteristics of hydrogels, the new techniques for enhancing the biomechanics of hydrogels are presented. It is expected that this review will profit future works for regulating the biomechanical properties of hydrogel biomaterials to satisfy the demands of a variety of different human tissues.
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Wang E, Escobedo FA. Mechanical Properties of Tetrapolyethylene and Tetrapoly(ethylene oxide) Diamond Networks via Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Endian Wang
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Fernando A. Escobedo
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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Takehara H, Nagaoka A, Noguchi J, Akagi T, Kasai H, Ichiki T. Implantable Microfluidic Device with Hydrogel Permeable Membrane for Delivering Chemical Compounds and Imaging Neural Cells in Living Mice. J PHOTOPOLYM SCI TEC 2016. [DOI: 10.2494/photopolymer.29.513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Zheng X, Wu D, Su T, Bao S, Liao C, Wang Q. Magnetic nanocomposite hydrogel prepared by ZnO-initiated photopolymerization for La (III) adsorption. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:19840-19849. [PMID: 25347800 DOI: 10.1021/am505177c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Here, we provide an effective method to fabricate magnetic ZnO clay nanocomposite hydrogel via the photopolymerization. The inorganic components endow the hydrogel with high mechanical strength, while the organic copolymers exhibit good adsorption capacity and separation selectivity to La (III) ions. An optimized hydrogel has the maximum compressive stress of 316.60±15.83 kPa, which still exhibits 138.98±7.32 kPa compressive strength after swelling. The maximum adsorption capacity of La ion is 58.8 mg/g. The adsorption matches the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. La (III) ions can be effectively separated from the mixtures of La/Ni, La/Co, La/Cu, and La/Nd in a broad pH range (2.0 to 8.0). After six adsorption-desorption cycles, the hydrogel can maintain its adsorption capacity. This work not only provides a new approach to the synthesis of tough hydrogels under irradiation, but also opens up enormous opportunities to make full use of magnetic nanocomposite hydrogels in environmental fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangning Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, and Advanced Research Institute, Tongji University , Shanghai 200092, P.R. China
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Yajima Y, Yamada M, Yamada E, Iwase M, Seki M. Facile fabrication processes for hydrogel-based microfluidic devices made of natural biopolymers. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:024115. [PMID: 24803964 PMCID: PMC4000388 DOI: 10.1063/1.4871936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
We present facile strategies for the fabrication of two types of microfluidic devices made of hydrogels using the natural biopolymers, alginate, and gelatin as substrates. The processes presented include the molding-based preparation of hydrogel plates and their chemical bonding. To prepare calcium-alginate hydrogel microdevices, we suppressed the volume shrinkage of the alginate solution during gelation using propylene glycol alginate in the precursor solution along with sodium alginate. In addition, a chemical bonding method was developed using a polyelectrolyte membrane of poly-L-lysine as the electrostatic glue. To prepare gelatin-based microdevices, we used microbial transglutaminase to bond hydrogel plates chemically and to cross-link and stabilize the hydrogel matrix. As an application, mammalian cells (fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells) were cultivated on the microchannel surface to form three-dimensional capillary-embedding tissue models for biological research and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Yajima
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Masumi Yamada
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Emi Yamada
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Masaki Iwase
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Minoru Seki
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
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