Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame

Shape-memory materials are widely utilized in biomedical devices and tissue engineering, particularly for their ability to undergo predefined shape changes in response to external stimuli. In this study, a shape-transformable organohydrogel was developed by incorporating a gallium mesh into a polyac...

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Main Authors: Mincheol Lee, Youngjin Choi, Young Min Bae, Seonghyeon Nam, Kiyoung Shin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/12/769
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author Mincheol Lee
Youngjin Choi
Young Min Bae
Seonghyeon Nam
Kiyoung Shin
author_facet Mincheol Lee
Youngjin Choi
Young Min Bae
Seonghyeon Nam
Kiyoung Shin
author_sort Mincheol Lee
collection DOAJ
description Shape-memory materials are widely utilized in biomedical devices and tissue engineering, particularly for their ability to undergo predefined shape changes in response to external stimuli. In this study, a shape-transformable organohydrogel was developed by incorporating a gallium mesh into a polyacrylamide/alginate/glycerol matrix. The gallium mesh, which transitions between solid and liquid states at moderate temperatures (~29.8 °C), enhanced the hydrogel’s mechanical properties and enabled shape-memory functionality. The composite organohydrogel exhibited a high elastic modulus of ~900 kPa in the solid gallium state and ~30 kPa in the liquid gallium state, enabling reversible deformation and structural stability. Glycerol improved the hydrogel’s moisture retention, maintaining stretchability and repeated heating and cooling cycles. After multiple cycles of the shape-changing process, the organohydrogel retained its mechanical integrity, achieving shape-fixation and recovery ratios of ~96% and 95%, respectively. This combination of shape-memory functionality, stretchability, and mechanical stability makes this organohydrogel highly suitable for applications in flexible electronics, soft robotics, and biomedical devices, where adaptability and shape retention are essential.
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spelling doaj-art-ab0d3c1d0d9c48a4a941d2cc271f64a52025-08-20T02:00:46ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612024-11-01101276910.3390/gels10120769Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh FrameMincheol Lee0Youngjin Choi1Young Min Bae2Seonghyeon Nam3Kiyoung Shin4Electro-Medical Equipment Research Division, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Ansan 15588, Republic of KoreaElectro-Medical Equipment Research Division, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Ansan 15588, Republic of KoreaElectro-Medical Equipment Research Division, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Ansan 15588, Republic of KoreaSchool of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of KoreaElectro-Medical Equipment Research Division, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Ansan 15588, Republic of KoreaShape-memory materials are widely utilized in biomedical devices and tissue engineering, particularly for their ability to undergo predefined shape changes in response to external stimuli. In this study, a shape-transformable organohydrogel was developed by incorporating a gallium mesh into a polyacrylamide/alginate/glycerol matrix. The gallium mesh, which transitions between solid and liquid states at moderate temperatures (~29.8 °C), enhanced the hydrogel’s mechanical properties and enabled shape-memory functionality. The composite organohydrogel exhibited a high elastic modulus of ~900 kPa in the solid gallium state and ~30 kPa in the liquid gallium state, enabling reversible deformation and structural stability. Glycerol improved the hydrogel’s moisture retention, maintaining stretchability and repeated heating and cooling cycles. After multiple cycles of the shape-changing process, the organohydrogel retained its mechanical integrity, achieving shape-fixation and recovery ratios of ~96% and 95%, respectively. This combination of shape-memory functionality, stretchability, and mechanical stability makes this organohydrogel highly suitable for applications in flexible electronics, soft robotics, and biomedical devices, where adaptability and shape retention are essential.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/12/769stretchable hydrogelshape-transformable hydrogelliquid metalshape memory
spellingShingle Mincheol Lee
Youngjin Choi
Young Min Bae
Seonghyeon Nam
Kiyoung Shin
Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame
Gels
stretchable hydrogel
shape-transformable hydrogel
liquid metal
shape memory
title Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame
title_full Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame
title_fullStr Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame
title_full_unstemmed Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame
title_short Stretchable and Shape-Transformable Organohydrogel with Gallium Mesh Frame
title_sort stretchable and shape transformable organohydrogel with gallium mesh frame
topic stretchable hydrogel
shape-transformable hydrogel
liquid metal
shape memory
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/12/769
work_keys_str_mv AT mincheollee stretchableandshapetransformableorganohydrogelwithgalliummeshframe
AT youngjinchoi stretchableandshapetransformableorganohydrogelwithgalliummeshframe
AT youngminbae stretchableandshapetransformableorganohydrogelwithgalliummeshframe
AT seonghyeonnam stretchableandshapetransformableorganohydrogelwithgalliummeshframe
AT kiyoungshin stretchableandshapetransformableorganohydrogelwithgalliummeshframe