Hydrogels with prestressed tensegrity structures

Bin Xue (), Xu Han, Haoqi Zhu, Qingtai Li, Yu Zhang, Ming Bai, Ying Li, Yiran Li, Meng Qin, Tasuku Nakajima, Wei Wang (), Jian Ping Gong () and Yi Cao ()
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Bin Xue: Nanjing University
Xu Han: Nanjing University
Haoqi Zhu: Nanjing University
Qingtai Li: Nanjing University
Yu Zhang: Nanjing University
Ming Bai: Nanjing University
Ying Li: Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology
Yiran Li: Nanjing University
Meng Qin: Nanjing University
Tasuku Nakajima: Hokkaido University
Wei Wang: Nanjing University
Jian Ping Gong: Hokkaido University
Yi Cao: Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Tensegrity structures are isolated rigid compression components held in place by a continuous network of tensile components, and are central to natural systems such as the extracellular matrix and the cell cytoskeleton. These structures enable the nonreciprocal mechanical properties essential for dynamic biological functions. Here, we introduce a synthetic approach to engineer hydrogels with tensegrity architectures, drawing inspiration from the mechanochemical principles underlying biological systems. By employing in-situ enzyme-induced amino acid crystal growth within preformed polymeric networks, we achieve a hierarchical integration of micro crystal sticks randomly interlocked in the prestressed polymer matrice. This design mirrors natural tensegrity structures, balancing mechanical forces to maintain high stiffness (tensile moduli up to 30 MPa), fracture toughness (2600 J m⁻²), and water content (exceeding 80%). The resultant hydrogels exhibit bimodulus behavior due to their tensegrity structure, featuring a tensile-to-compressive modulus ratio of 13. This biomimetic approach provides a strategy for creating robust, adaptive materials for applications in tissue engineering and beyond.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58956-3

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