Print Email Facebook Twitter Biomimetic Strain-Stiffening Self-Assembled Hydrogels Title Biomimetic Strain-Stiffening Self-Assembled Hydrogels Author Wang, Yiming (East China University of Science and Technology) Xu, Zhi (East China University of Science and Technology) Lovrak, M. (TU Delft ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter) le Sage, V.A.A. (TU Delft ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter) Zhang, K. (TU Delft ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter) Guo, Xuhong (East China University of Science and Technology) Eelkema, R. (TU Delft ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter) Mendes, E. (TU Delft ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter) van Esch, J.H. (TU Delft ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter) Date 2020 Abstract Supramolecular structures with strain-stiffening properties are ubiquitous in nature but remain rare in the lab. Herein, we report on strain-stiffening supramolecular hydrogels that are entirely produced through the self-assembly of synthetic molecular gelators. The involved gelators self-assemble into semi-flexible fibers, which thereby crosslink into hydrogels. Interestingly, these hydrogels are capable of stiffening in response to applied stress, resembling biological intermediate filaments system. Furthermore, strain-stiffening hydrogel networks embedded with liposomes are constructed through orthogonal self-assembly of gelators and phospholipids, mimicking biological tissues in both architecture and mechanical properties. This work furthers the development of biomimetic soft materials with mechanical responsiveness and presents potentially enticing applications in diverse fields, such as tissue engineering, artificial life, and strain sensors. Subject gelslow-molecular-weight gelatorsself-assemblystrain-stiffeningsupramolecular chemistry To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:5b009ebb-a8ce-432a-a85a-89b6195c4f60 DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201911364 Embargo date 2021-01-07 ISSN 1433-7851 Source Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), 59 (12), 4830-4834 Bibliographical note Accepted Author Manuscript Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2020 Yiming Wang, Zhi Xu, M. Lovrak, V.A.A. le Sage, K. Zhang, Xuhong Guo, R. Eelkema, E. Mendes, J.H. van Esch Files PDF StiffeningGel_format_free.pdf 1012.49 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:5b009ebb-a8ce-432a-a85a-89b6195c4f60/datastream/OBJ/view