About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advanced Biomaterials and Implants
|
| Presentation Title |
Tough and Compliant GelMA/PVA Hydrogels for Artificial Nerve Applications |
| Author(s) |
Yerim Lee, Jun Yeong Hwang, Eunsoo Kim, Prabir Patra, Jahyun Koo |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Yerim Lee |
| Abstract Scope |
Hydrogels have attracted considerable attention in biomedical applications because of their structural similarity to native extracellular matrices. Photocrosslinkable hydrogels such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) are widely used for three-dimensional (3D) printing and tissue engineering. However, their poor mechanical properties remain a major limitation, especially for load-bearing or mechanically demanding soft tissue applications. Incorporating secondary polymers can improve strength, but often causes a trade-off between stiffness and stretchability, leading to brittle or overly rigid materials. In this study, we developed GelMA/PVA hydrogels with enhanced mechanical performance through a post-treatment process. Unlike conventional reinforcement strategies, this approach markedly increased ultimate strength without reducing elongation, resulting in substantially improved toughness. In addition, Young’s modulus remained moderate, preventing excessive stiffening. These results demonstrate that the proposed hydrogel combines high toughness with mechanical compliance, highlighting its potential as a durable yet flexible material for applications such as artificial nerves. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |