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Materials characterisation and modelling of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels
Dynamic covalent hydrogels are increasingly used as tuneable cell culture scaffolds, viscosity modifiers for food and industrial applications, and as injectable drug delivery systems owing to their reversible and mouldable nature. In this project, we aim to characterize and model the mechanical properties of ideal dynamic networks. Students will investigate both bulk properties and microscopic behaviour at the junctions of the materials, through dynamic mechanical analysis and different spectroscopic methods. Finally, students will explore different theoretical and computational modelling approaches to link the microscopic behaviour of the binding pairs that form the cross-links to the viscoelastic properties of ideal dynamic covalent networks.
In this project, we will investigate the properties of mouldable hydrogels formed from linkages using dynamic covalent chemistry. These materials combine the mechanical properties of both physically and chemically cross-linked materials, enabling the formation of responsive, mouldable, and self-healing materials, as the bonds in the network can break and reform in response to external stimuli. These unique properties are being leveraged in many biomedical applications, such as in responsive drug delivery systems, dynamic scaffolds for cell culture, and, more recently, in our work on the thermal stabilisation of biologics. The macroscale properties of these hydrogels, however, depend on the specific chemistry of the cross-link binding pairs as well as the network topology. Successful application of dynamic covalent gels therefore requires a robust understanding of how these factors influence each other and the emergent properties of the network.
The project will involve characterisation of the materials properties of these hydrogels. The mechanical properties of different formulations will be investigated through dynamic mechanical analysis and uniaxial tensile testing. In addition, the microscopic behaviour at the junctions will be probed through quantitative measurements of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters using spectroscopic methods such as NMR and fluorescence-based assays. In parallel, students will explore different ways of modelling the behaviour of these materials, including computational and theoretical approaches.
In this project, we will investigate the properties of mouldable hydrogels formed from linkages using dynamic covalent chemistry. These materials combine the mechanical properties of both physically and chemically cross-linked materials, enabling the formation of responsive, mouldable, and self-healing materials, as the bonds in the network can break and reform in response to external stimuli. These unique properties are being leveraged in many biomedical applications, such as in responsive drug delivery systems, dynamic scaffolds for cell culture, and, more recently, in our work on the thermal stabilisation of biologics. The macroscale properties of these hydrogels, however, depend on the specific chemistry of the cross-link binding pairs as well as the network topology. Successful application of dynamic covalent gels therefore requires a robust understanding of how these factors influence each other and the emergent properties of the network.
The project will involve characterisation of the materials properties of these hydrogels. The mechanical properties of different formulations will be investigated through dynamic mechanical analysis and uniaxial tensile testing. In addition, the microscopic behaviour at the junctions will be probed through quantitative measurements of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters using spectroscopic methods such as NMR and fluorescence-based assays. In parallel, students will explore different ways of modelling the behaviour of these materials, including computational and theoretical approaches.
Several open questions can be tackled by students in their semester projects, bachelor or master theses:
**Polymer synthesis**
- Synthesis and characterisation of end-functionalised star polymers.
- Development of new formulations of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels.
**Materials characterisation**
- Characterisation of the bulk properties of dynamic covalent hydrogels through mechanical testing and dynamic mechanical analysis.
- Characterisation of the microscopic behaviour at the junctions of dynamic covalent hydrogels through spectroscopic methods.
**Materials modelling**
- Exploring different computational and theoretical approaches to describe the behaviour of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels.
- Developing a predictive model to connect the microscopic and macroscopic properties of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels.
Several open questions can be tackled by students in their semester projects, bachelor or master theses:
**Polymer synthesis**
- Synthesis and characterisation of end-functionalised star polymers. - Development of new formulations of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels.
**Materials characterisation**
- Characterisation of the bulk properties of dynamic covalent hydrogels through mechanical testing and dynamic mechanical analysis. - Characterisation of the microscopic behaviour at the junctions of dynamic covalent hydrogels through spectroscopic methods.
**Materials modelling**
- Exploring different computational and theoretical approaches to describe the behaviour of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels. - Developing a predictive model to connect the microscopic and macroscopic properties of ideal dynamic covalent hydrogels.
Interested students should contact Bruno Marco-Dufort (marbruno@ethz.ch) or Prof. Mark Tibbitt (mtibbitt@ethz.ch).
Interested students should contact Bruno Marco-Dufort (marbruno@ethz.ch) or Prof. Mark Tibbitt (mtibbitt@ethz.ch).