Unique combinations of hard and soft components found in biological tissues have inspired researchers to design and develop synthetic nanocomposite gels and hydrogels with elastomeric properties. These elastic materials can potentially be used as synthetic mimics for diverse tissue engineering applications. Here we present a set of elastomeric nanocomposite hydrogels made from @entity968 ( @entity970 ) and @entity692 nanoparticles (nHAp). The aqueous nanocomposite @entity970 -nHAp precursor solutions can be injected and then covalently cross-linked via photopolymerization. The resulting @entity970 -nHAp hydrogels have interconnected pore sizes ranging from 100 to 300 nm. They have higher extensibilities, @entity174 stresses, compressive strengths, and toughness when compared with conventional PEO hydrogels. The enhanced mechanical properties are a result of polymer nanoparticle interactions that interfere with the permanent cross-linking of @entity970 during photopolymerization. The effect of nHAp concentration and temperature on hydrogel swelling kinetics was evaluated under physiological conditions. An increase in nHAp concentration decreased the hydrogel saturated swelling degree. The combination of @entity970 and nHAp nanoparticles significantly improved the physical and chemical hydrogel properties as well as some biological characteristics such as osteoblast cell adhesion. Further development of these elastomeric materials can potentially lead to use as a matrix for drug delivery and tissue repair especially for orthopedic applications.

Highly extensible, tough, and elastomeric nanocomposite hydrogels from XXXX and @entity692 nanoparticles.

@entity692 :: ('MESH:D017886', 'Chemical') :: ['hydroxyapatite'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['fracture'] @entity970 :: ('CHEBI:46793', 'Chemical') :: ['PEG'] @entity968 :: ('MESH:D011092', 'Chemical') :: ['poly(ethylene glycol)']
@entity968 :: (MESH:D011092,Chemical) :: ['poly(ethylene glycol)']
