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The main objective of the work presented in this book is to describe the fabrication and characterization of surface-anchored hydrogel microstructures. The structures are constructed from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), or poly(NIPAAm), which is a well-known thermoresponsive polymer that swells and contracts with changes in temperature. When patterned on a surface, these structures can experience a variety of shape changes induced by nonuniform swelling. Depending on the aspect ratio, patterns can, for instance buckle upon swelling and form wave-like patterns. Such structural changes replicate oscillatory motion of the smooth muscle cells and can be used to transport objects in microfluidics. The work, herein, describes methods of pattern production and introduces a new technique for characterizing local swelling in the patterns. In order to achieve the latter, fluorescent microspheres were embedded in hydrogel patterns and their positions were mapped in three-dimensions using confocal microscopy. The measurements permit, for the first time, swelling maps of the structures based on relative movements of the microspheres.
About the author
Carlos Bello obtained a MS in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Florida in 2008. During his final three years at the University, he worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Ryan Toomey studying the physics of thermoresponsive polymers. Carlos is currently working as Technology Leader in Oral Care Engineering for the Procter & Gamble Co.
