Porous hierarchically ordered hydrogels demonstrating structurally dependent mechanical properties

Elisabeth C. Lloyd, Sujata Dhakal, Shahrouz Amini, Rami Alhasan, Peter Fratzl, Douglas R. Tree, Svetlana Morozova and Robert J. Hickey ()
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Elisabeth C. Lloyd: The Pennsylvania State University
Sujata Dhakal: Case Western Reserve University
Shahrouz Amini: Research Campus Golm
Rami Alhasan: Brigham Young University
Peter Fratzl: Research Campus Golm
Douglas R. Tree: Brigham Young University
Svetlana Morozova: Case Western Reserve University
Robert J. Hickey: The Pennsylvania State University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract While hierarchical ordering is a distinctive feature of natural tissues and is directly responsible for their diverse and unique properties, efforts to synthesize biomaterials have primarily focused on using molecular-based approaches with little emphasis on multiscale structure. Here, we report a bottom-up self-assembly process to produce highly porous hydrogel fibers that resemble extracellular matrices both structurally and mechanically. Physically crosslinked nanostructured micelles form the walls of micrometer-sized water-rich pores with preferred orientation along the fiber direction. Low elastic moduli (

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59171-w

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