Fatigue-resistant, single-phase stretchable materials via crack bridging

Review Engineering, Biomedical

Tailoring micro/nano-fibers for biomedical applications

Bin Kong et al.

Summary: Nano/micro fibers have attracted much attention in fiber science due to their special functions and properties, and they have a wide range of applications in fields such as environmental engineering, electronics, and biomedicine.

BIOACTIVE MATERIALS (2023)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Soft, strong, tough, and durable protein-based fiber hydrogels

Mingkun Wang et al.

Summary: We have successfully replicated the properties of load-bearing soft tissues using a thermomechanical approach. Our gelatin methacryloyl fiber hydrogel exhibits soft tissue-like mechanical properties, biochemical and architectural similarity to native extracellular matrix, and supports cell remodeling. This combination of mechanical properties and bioactivity is highly desirable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2023)

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Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Three-dimensional crack bridging model of biological materials with twisted Bouligand structures

Qinghua Meng et al.

Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional crack twisted-bridging model is developed to investigate the fracture toughness of Bouligand structures, revealing that nanofibers bridge the crack surfaces in a twisting arrangement within the fracture process zone at the crack tip. Bouligand structures exhibit high and direction-independent fracture toughness, and their crack resistance increases with the pitch angle of nanofibers.

JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS (2022)

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Article Materials Science, Ceramics

Effects of interfacial residual stress on mechanical behavior of SiCf/SiC composites

Xiaowu Chen et al.

Summary: Residual stress in boron nitride interphase of continuous SiC fiber-reinforced SiC composites was measured, and it was found that an increase in fabrication temperature leads to increased residual stress, which significantly affects the mechanical properties of the composites.

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED CERAMICS (2022)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

3D printed hydrogel for articular cartilage regeneration

Xue Yang et al.

Summary: Three-dimensional printed hydrogel is a promising approach in cartilage tissue engineering due to its similarity to the extracellular matrix and its ability to fabricate 3D cell culture scaffolds. Various hydrogels, both natural and synthetic, have been tested for 3D printing in vitro articular cartilage tissues. The advancement in materials and printing techniques allows for the fabrication of delicate cartilage structures on multiple scales. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels and their application prospects in tissue engineering are also discussed in this review. The development of novel composite hydrogels that meet the requirements of native articular cartilage is crucial for further advancement in the field.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2022)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Three-dimensional auxetic structure design methods based on bulking-induced deformation and the application in soft crawling robot

Bo Liu et al.

Summary: In this paper, three auxetic structures are proposed based on the 3D auxetic deformation equation, and their performance is validated through finite element analysis and experimental verification. The CC structure, which exhibits a 3D auxetic property and has excellent structural strength, is applied in designing a soft crawling robot with motion and perception modules. This robot has potential applications in medical treatment and other fields.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2022)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

PDMS-CNT composite for soft bioelectronic neuronal implants

M. N. Barshutina et al.

Summary: This communication presents a detailed description of a technology for manufacturing stretchable and biointegrated neuronal implants using carbon nanotubes and poly(dimethylsiloxane). The technology involves the fabrication of PDMS-CNT composite materials with excellent biocompatibility, biostability, tensile strength, and charge storage capacity. The implants showed high efficiency in monitoring and stimulating neuronal activity in mammals, as demonstrated by in vivo tests on laboratory animals.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2022)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Integration of sensing and shape-deforming capabilities for a bioinspired soft robot

Qi Wang et al.

Summary: The development of smart soft robots with sensing and shape-deforming capabilities is critical, and magnetic composites provide a new avenue for this. Inspired by sea anemones, the developed soft robot can sense and deform in water to avoid being swept away by water flow.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2021)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Soft robotic reinforced by carbon fiber skeleton with large deformation and enhanced blocking forces

Xiaohui Zhang et al.

Summary: A carbon fiber skeleton strategy is proposed to enhance the strength and electric-triggered performance of thin-film actuators in soft robotics, significantly improving bending angle and blocking force under the same driving condition compared to non-skeletal actuators.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2021)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

A fabric reinforced small diameter tubular graft for rabbits' carotid artery defect

Tonghe Zhu et al.

Summary: A fabric reinforced small diameter tubular graft was fabricated using braiding and thermally induced phase separation technology, with good mechanical properties and blood compatibility. Animal experiments demonstrated the potential application of the graft in tissue regeneration and vascular trauma.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2021)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Lignin nanofiller-reinforced composites hydrogels with long-lasting adhesiveness, toughness, excellent self-healing, conducting, ultraviolet-blocking and antibacterial properties

Han Cui et al.

Summary: In this study, multifunctional hydrogels were fabricated using functionalized lignin nanoparticles as fillers, showing excellent mechanical properties, conductivity, ultraviolet-blocking properties, and antibacterial activity. These easy-to-prepare hydrogels demonstrate promising applications in human machine electronics.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Strong tough hydrogels via the synergy of freeze-casting and salting out

Mutian Hua et al.

Summary: A strategy combining freeze-casting and salting-out treatments produces poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with a multi-length-scale hierarchical architecture, including micrometre-scale honeycomb-like pore walls and interconnected nanofibril meshes. These hydrogels have properties that compare favorably to other tough hydrogels and even natural tendons.

NATURE (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Soft Materials by Design: Unconventional Polymer Networks Give Extreme Properties

Xuanhe Zhao et al.

Summary: Hydrogels possess extreme mechanical properties and have diverse applications. While many hydrogels have been developed, a set of general principles for designing them for various applications remains a central need.

CHEMICAL REVIEWS (2021)

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Article Materials Science, Characterization & Testing

Cyclic fatigue failure of TPU using a crack propagation approach

Giorgia Scetta et al.

Summary: The study shows that the stress-stretch curve of TPUs changes with the number of applied cycles when cyclically loaded up to the same value of maximum stretch, but eventually reaches a steady state. A suitable methodology based on fracture mechanics approach is proposed to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistance in TPUs, with additional treatments to account for the higher tendency to creep of TPUs compared to thermoset rubbers. Comparing the results with classical filled rubbers, TPUs demonstrate excellent toughness and cyclic fatigue resistance, suggesting new opportunities for applications requiring resistance to crack propagation under cyclic loading at large strains.

POLYMER TESTING (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Anisotropically Fatigue-Resistant Hydrogels

Xiangyu Liang et al.

Summary: Nature utilizes inherent structures across multiple length-scales to build biological materials with exceptional mechanical performances, surpassing artificial materials. A simple and universal strategy has been developed to significantly increase the fatigue thresholds of conventional hydrogels, making them durable alternatives to most synthetic soft materials. These fatigue-resistant hydrogels show high-performance and cost-effective features, suitable for various applications such as robotics and artificial muscles.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Adhesive, stretchable and antibacterial hydrogel with external/self-power for flexible sensitive sensor used as human motion detection

Zixuan Zhou et al.

Summary: The article introduces a method for preparing a hydrogel sensor with self-adhesive, antimicrobial, and self-power properties, and its performance. The hydrogel has good mechanical properties, high adhesion, and wide sensory sensitivity, and can be used for human motion detection.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2021)

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Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Strong fatigue-resistant nanofibrous hydrogels inspired by lobster underbelly

Jiahua Ni et al.

Summary: Nanofibrous hydrogels are commonly found in animal and plant bodies, and widely used in engineering applications. This study presents a bioinspired design for creating strong and fatigue-resistant nanofibrous hydrogels that mimic the natural bouligand structure, achieving high strength and toughness properties.

MATTER (2021)

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Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary