Multifunctional tendon-mimetic hydrogels

We report multifunctional tendon-mimetic hydrogels constructed from anisotropic assembly of aramid nano-fiber composites. The stiff nanofibers and soft polyvinyl alcohol in these anisotropic composite hydrogels (ACHs) mimic the structural interplay between aligned collagen fibers and proteoglycans in tendons. The ACHs exhibit a high modulus of similar to 1.1 GPa, strength of similar to 72 MPa, fracture toughness of 7333 J/m(2), and many additional characteristics matching those of natural tendons, which was not achieved with previous synthetic hydrogels. The surfaces of ACHs were functionalized with bioactive molecules to present biophysical cues for the modulation of morphology, phenotypes, and other behaviors of attached cells. Moreover, soft bioelectronic components can be integrated on ACHs, enabling in situ sensing of various physiological parameters. The outstanding mechanics and functionality of these tendon mimetics suggest their further applications in advanced tissue engineering, implantable prosthetics, human-machine interactions, and other technologies.

Automated summary

We describe multifunctional tendon-mimetic hydrogels composed of anisotropic assembly of aramid nano-fiber composites. These hydrogels mimic the structural interplay between collagen fibers and proteoglycans in tendons, and display high strength, modulus, and fracture toughness matching those of natural tendons. The surfaces of these hydrogels can be functionalized with bioactive molecules and integrated with soft bioelectronic components for sensing physiological parameters. The exceptional mechanics and functionality of these tendon mimetics suggest their potential applications in tissue engineering, prosthetics, human-machine interactions, and other technologies.