About this Abstract |
Meeting |
MS&T23: Materials Science & Technology
|
Symposium
|
2023 Undergraduate Student Poster Contest
|
Presentation Title |
Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications |
Author(s) |
Rebecca Patush, Alina Kirillova |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Rebecca Patush |
Abstract Scope |
One of the most promising biomaterials is hydrogels, as they can be used for a variety of soft tissue engineering applications. Hydrogels are crosslinked hydrophilic polymers capable of absorbing large amounts of water. This study looks into a potential application for hydrogel films in optometry. Several eye procedures require suturing of the cornea, which is a delicate tissue. This technique can be challenging for optometry students to perfect as cadavers are not only limited, but preservation techniques also change the physical properties of the cornea. Synthesized hydrogel films could potentially be a low-cost alternative that simulates living corneal properties, making them a promising resource for optometry students to practice suturing techniques. Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogels can be synthesized relatively easily and tuned to have specific mechanical properties. These films and potentially scaffolds could eventually be 3D printed with customizable resins, allowing them to have tunable properties and be fully reproducible. |