MEchanics GAthering –MEGA- Seminar: Interfacial Reinforcement of Double Network Granular Hydrogel (DNGH)
Event details
| Date | 04.05.2023 |
| Hour | 16:15 › 17:30 |
| Speaker | Tianyu Yuan (SMAL - EPFL) |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract:
Granular hydrogels have the potential to be used as 3D-printable artificial tissues. Yet, the development of mechanically strong hydrogels remains challenging. A secondary hydrogel network can be introduced to the granular hydrogel to form Double Network Granular Hydrogels (DNGHs) with a percolating network, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties while maintaining the 3D printability. However, the inter-particle interaction is weak, resulting in brittle materials. The interfaces between granular hydrogels can be reinforced by electrostatic interactions to increase the stiffness and toughness of DNGHs, which provides a new possibility to develop strong and tough soft materials with processing versatility as artificial tissues.
Biography:
Tianyu Yuan graduated from Donghua University (Shanghai, China) with a Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science and Engineering in 2018, focusing on polymer synthesis and self-assembly. She obtained her Master’s degree in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan (MI, the United States) in 2020, focusing on the additive manufacturing of thermosets. Then, she started her PhD with Prof. Esther Amstad in 2020 at Soft Materials Laboratory (SMaL), EDMX. Her research focuses on the mechanics of tough hydrogels.
Granular hydrogels have the potential to be used as 3D-printable artificial tissues. Yet, the development of mechanically strong hydrogels remains challenging. A secondary hydrogel network can be introduced to the granular hydrogel to form Double Network Granular Hydrogels (DNGHs) with a percolating network, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties while maintaining the 3D printability. However, the inter-particle interaction is weak, resulting in brittle materials. The interfaces between granular hydrogels can be reinforced by electrostatic interactions to increase the stiffness and toughness of DNGHs, which provides a new possibility to develop strong and tough soft materials with processing versatility as artificial tissues.
Biography:
Tianyu Yuan graduated from Donghua University (Shanghai, China) with a Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science and Engineering in 2018, focusing on polymer synthesis and self-assembly. She obtained her Master’s degree in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan (MI, the United States) in 2020, focusing on the additive manufacturing of thermosets. Then, she started her PhD with Prof. Esther Amstad in 2020 at Soft Materials Laboratory (SMaL), EDMX. Her research focuses on the mechanics of tough hydrogels.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
Organizer
- MEGA.Seminar Organizing Committee