BIOMATERIALS
·
2019
·
IF 10.273
Chuanchuan Lin,Bailong Tao,Yiman Deng,Ye He,Xinkun Shen,Rong Wang,Lu Lu,Zhihong Peng,Zengzilu Xia,Kaiyong Cai
Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) migration to injury site is a prevalent event in tissue repair process after damage occurrence. The migration process is always accompanied with matrix stiffness change. In this study, sodium alginate hydrogels with different stiffness and Transwell chambers with gradient chemical factors were employed to mimic tissue repair in vivo . In this work, in the stiffness range of 1–20 kPa, BMSCs in stiffer matrix showed higher migration speed compared to those in softer matrix. Moreover, stiffer matrix decreased the nuclear stiffness of BMSCs and reduced the expression of lamin A/C, which playing a main role in the regulation of nuclear stiffness. Furthermore, it was found that BMSCs fitted environment by selecting migration strategy. This study provides a novel platform for the investigation of BMSCs migration to mimic the natural tissue repair process.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
·
组织工程
·
生物力学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
POLYMER COMPOSITES
·
2025
·
IF 4.7
Xuejiao Peng,Huiwen He,Yulong Liu,Meng Ma,Yanqin Shi,Yulu Zhu,Si Chen,Xu Wang
The rigidity and toughness of the resin matrix significantly influence the impact resistance of ballistic composites. However, the relationship between the properties of the resin matrix and the ballistic performance of the composites remains inadequately defined. In this study, the ballistic performance of composites with various matrix resins was investigated to assess how matrix toughness affects energy absorption. A series of epoxy resins exhibiting different rigidity and toughness were combined with PBO (poly-p-phenyl-2,6-benzobisoxazole) fibers, and their quasi-static mechanical properties were evaluated to analyze their effectiveness in resisting ballistic impacts. In ballistic test, the brittle matrix composite demonstrated concentrated fiber breakage and localized damage, while the toughened matrix composite exhibited more dispersed damage characterized by reduced fiber breakage and minimal delamination, suggesting enhanced energy absorption via deformation within the matrix. Compared with the specific energy absorption value of the brittle matrix composite material, which is only 9.28 Jm 2 /kg, the specific energy absorption value of the tough matrix composite material has increased by 125% to 20.88 Jm 2 /kg. These findings underscore the critical role that matrix toughness plays in improving ballistic-resistant performance by facilitating better energy distribution while mitigating fiber damage. Highlights Matrix toughness significantly enhances ballistic energy absorption in composites. Toughened matrix reduces fiber breakage and delamination under ballistic impact. Toughened matrix composite achieves a 125% higher specific energy absorption. Findings offer insights for designing high-performance ballistic-resistant materials.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
力学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2025
·
IF 8.2
Zheng Wang,Feng Xu,Di Wu,Wei Huang,Zhiqin Chu,Yuan Lin
Cells need to migrate through confined spaces during processes such as embryo development and cancer metastasis. However, the fundamental question of how confinement size and surrounding rigidity collectively regulate the migration capability of cells remains unclear. Here, by utilizing maskless photolithography with a digital micromirror device (DMD), a microchannel with precisely controlled width and wall stiffness (similar to those exhibited by natural tissues) is fabricated. We find that increasing the rigidity of the confining wall leads to a more reduced nuclear volume but has no detectable influence on the myosin expression level in the cells. More interestingly, a biphasic trend of the cell speed is observed, with the migration velocity reaching its minimum at an intermediate wall rigidity of ∼10 kPa. A motor-clutch-based pulling race model is then proposed, which suggests that such biphasic dependence is due to the fact that a very soft channel wall will result in small deformation of the nucleus and consequently reduced cell-wall friction, while larger myosin-based crawling force can be triggered by a stiff confining boundary, both leading to a relatively high migration speed. These findings could provide critical insights into novel strategies for controlling the movement of cells and the design of high-performance biological materials.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
·
生物力学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
RSC Advances
·
2019
·Vol. 9
·期 57
·33147-33154
·
IF 3.049
Jianxiang Sun,Jingqi Ji,Zhigeng Chen,Shumei Liu,Jianqing Zhao
Some commercially available graphene (CG) samples, actually graphite nanoplates, are difficult to be applied in polymers due to their large thickness, even though their fabrication is more cost-effective. In this work, a CG sample with a thickness of about 25 nm is pre-treated via a facile acid soaking technique, and then the acid-treated CG is introduced into epoxy resin (EP) to improve the toughness while maintaining the high rigidity of the EP. The thickness of the acid-treated CG is dramatically decreased to about 1 nm, well-dispersing CG in the EP matrix. The tensile strength and the fracture energy of EP composite with 0.2 wt% acid-treated CG are increased to 85.2 MPa and 3.6 kJ m−2 from 74.3 MPa and 2.3 kJ m−2 of pure EP, respectively. In addition, the tensile-fractured surfaces of EP composites reveal that the toughening mechanism is mainly attributed to the crack deflection and crack pinning caused by the firmly-embedded CG nanosheets in the EP matrix. Besides, the glass transition temperature of EP composites is increased to 170.5 °C from 163.9 °C of pure EP. The present study provides a valuable approach for making use of the cost-effective graphite nanoplates to achieve a similar performance as graphene in EP.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
复合材料
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Magnetochemistry
·
2023
·Vol. 9
·期 5
·129
·
IF 2.7
Na Li,Daojing Lin,Junfeng Wu,Quan Gan,Xingyue Hu,Niandong Jiao
The utilisation of miniature robots has become essential in the domain of minimally invasive surgery and long-distance delivery of nanomedicine. Among these, the miniature magnetic continuum robot (MCR) stands out because of its simple structure and dexterity, which allow it to penetrate small cavities, transport specialised tools such as a laser, and deliver medications to support surgical treatment. Nevertheless, because of their soft bodies with a single stiffness, conventional MCRs have limited controllability when navigating through intricate cavities. To address this limitation, we propose a novel concentric magnetic continuum robot (C-MCR) comprising a concentric magnetic catheter with a guidewire having varying stiffness. The C-MCR allows substantial curvature bending owing to its difference in stiffness, and its detachable nature allows it to have four working modes to adapt to specific application requirements with improved stiffness controllability. Experiments demonstrate the ability of the C-MCR to navigate complex pathways and deliver nanomedicines over long distances to specific areas via its internal channels using a large homemade eight-coil electromagnetic system. The C-MCR offers promising application prospects for the long-distance delivery of tailored nanomedicines because of its simple operation, reduced risks, and larger attainable workspace.Keywords:magnetic control;continuum robot;stiffness control;drug delivery
研究领域:
医学工程
·
纳米医学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2025
·
IF 4.3
Fan Yanan,An Caizhelin,Wang Zhihui,Luo Jia,Wang Wenbin,Luo Qing,Song Guanbin
Hepatocytes are the primary functional cells in the liver, and the malignant transformation of hepatocytes significantly contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling during liver lesions is a pivotal driver of HCC. However, the impact of matrix stiffness on hepatocytes and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein, using gelatin/sodium alginate hydrogels with different stiffnesses to simulate the change of matrix stiffness during liver lesions, we found that matrix stiffening leads to a notable decrease in the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and functional hepatocyte genes and a significant increase in the expression of interleukin 6 (IL‒6) in human hepatocyte line L‒02 cells, indicating obvious damage of hepatocyte function. In addition, matrix stiffening causes extensive DNA damage to L‒02 cells. Mechanistically, matrix stiffening upregulates piezo‒type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Piezo1) expression and activates extracellular signal‒regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling. Piezo1 knockdown suppresses matrix stiffening‒induced functional impairment and DNA damage in L‒02 cells. Moreover, Piezo1 knockdown blocks matrix stiffening‒activated ERK1/2 signaling in L‒02 cells. U0126 (a selective inhibitor of ERK1/2 activation) treatment could rescue matrix stiffening‒induced functional impairment and DNA damage. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that matrix stiffening induces functional impairment and DNA damage in L‒02 cells via the Piezo1‒ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which provides evidence for a better understanding of the hepatocyte function damage caused by tissue mechanical microenvironment change in liver diseases and the mechanotransduction in this process. Graphical abstract An increase in matrix stiffness inhibits HNF4α expression and promotes IL‒6 expression in L‒02 cells. Meanwhile, matrix stiffening induces L‒02 cell DNA damage and upregulates the expression of γ‒H2AX and 53BP1. These findings prove that matrix stiffness is a crucial mechanical regulator of cellular functional impairment and DNA damage and plays an important role in liver disease.
研究领域:
医学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
·
2025
·
IF 14.2
Zhenyu Li,Jiahao Shen,Haoqi Ma,Liu Fuyong,Wenwen Yu,Yonggang Shangguan,Qiang Zheng
To achieve a balance between toughness and stiffness in polypropylene (PP) composites and to explore the underlying mechanisms, this study employed modified nano-silica particles (S-SP) by a cross-linkable modifier (Si69) as reinforcing fillers. PP composites toughened with ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) reinforced by S-SP were prepared and compared with those reinforced by unmodified and methyl-trimethoxy-silane (MTMS)-modified silica particles. The results showed that when the S-SP content reached 30 wt% (relative to reinforced EPDM), the notched impact strength of the PP composite at room temperature reached 75 kJ/m 2 , while the tensile yield strength and Young's modulus were 23 ± 2 MPa and 670 ± 20 MPa, respectively, only 32.3 % and 34 % lower than those of pure PP. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the modified nanoparticles with cross-linking ability played a key role in constraining the rubber phase size, enhancing its modulus, rigidifying the particle networks, and improving the interface adhesion. These factors were essential in mitigating the loss of modulus and stiffness of the composites. Additionally, they significantly improve the notch impact strength of the composites by promoting the cavitation of the rubber phase into many slender fibrils and micro-voids, and inducing intense shear deformation of the PP matrix ligaments.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
高分子化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART B-POLYMER PHYSICS
·
2018
·Vol. 56
·期 21
·1469-1474
·
IF 2.499
Shuangfei Xiang,Ting Li,Weifu Dong,Qinghua Lu
In this article, we report a synergistic strategy to develop dual physically cross-linked tough hydrogels via one-pot bulk copolymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, acrylic acid, and stearyl methylacrylate (SMA) without any adscititious surfactant. Due to synergic effects of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic association, the resulted dual physically cross-linked hydrogels (DP Gel) with ultra-wide range adjustable Young's modulus (0.08–45.6 MPa), tensile stress (0.7–6.9 MPa), and toughness (3.3–23.1 MJ m −3 ). Stretching to 300%, DP Gel exhibited fast recoverability that remained ~95% of initial dissipated energy after resting in 60 °C for 3 min. Finally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microstructure of hydrogel changed from phase separation structure to micro phase separation as SMA added, which accounted for excellent performance of DP Gel. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56 , 1469–1474
研究领域:
材料科学
·
高分子化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
·
2019
·
IF 4.561
Hengxin Fang,Zhixu Tang,Xinjuan Liu,Yongli Huang,Chang Q. Sun
It has been a long pursuit to discriminate the ionic roles of mono- and di-valent salt solutions in modulating the hydrogen bonding network and solution properties. We attended this issue by examining the effect of concentrated YX 2 (Y Mg, Ca, Sr; X Cl, Br) solvation on O:H O bonds transition from the mode of ordinary water to hydration in terms of the number fraction f YX2 ( C ) and the segmental O:H O bond phonon stiffness shift Δω(C) with C being the solute concentration. The invariant df Y ( C ) / dC at C ≤ <0.05 suggests that the small Y 2+ forms a constantly-sized hydration droplet with weak responding to interference of other ions because its hydrating H 2 O dipoles screen mostly its electric field. However, the number inadequacy of the highly-ordered hydrating H 2 O dipoles partially screens the large X − . The X − ↔ X − electrostatic repulsion weakens its electric field. The concentration-trend consistency of the f YX2 ( C ), the solution conductivity σ YX2 ( C ), and surface stress (contact angle) θ YX2 ( C ) for YX 2 solutions clarifies their common origin of ionic polarization. However, the Jones–Dale notion disobedience of the viscosity η YX2 ( C ) suggests the dominance of the inter-ion repulsion.
研究领域:
物理化学
·
材料科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
·
2025
·
IF 5.5
Yue Chen,Dan Xue,Di Huang,Xinying Li,Yuyou Duan,Bin Chen
Matrix stiffness is a key factor in breast cancer progression, but its impact on cell function and response to treatment is not fully understood. Here, we developed a stiffness-tunable hydrogel-based three-dimensional system that recapitulates the extracellular matrix and physiological properties of human breast cancer in vitro. Adjusting the ratio of GelMA to PEGDA in the hydrogel formulation enabled the fine-tuning of matrix stiffness across a range of 7 to 52 kPa. Utilizing this three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel platform for a breast cancer cell culture has enabled precise functional evaluations. Variations in matrix stiffness resulted in significant changes in the morphology of breast cancer cells after 2 weeks of incubation. The analysis of transcriptomic sequencing revealed that the 3D microenvironment significantly changed the expression of a wide panel of transcriptomic profiles of breast cancer cells in various matrix stiffness. Gene Ontology analysis further suggested that specific biological functions could potentially be linked to the magnitude of the matrix stiffness. According to our findings, extracellular matrix rigidity modulates the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to paclitaxel and adriamycin. Notably, the expression of ABCB1 and YAP1 genes may be upregulated in the 3D culture environment, potentially contributing to the increased drug resistance observed in breast cancer cells. This work aims to establish facile adjustable hydrogels to deepen insights into matrix rigidity effects on breast cancer cells within 3D microenvironments, highlighting the critical role of extracellular matrix stiffness in modulating cell-matrix interactions.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
肿瘤学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2025
·
IF 13.2
Tianguang Wang,Jinsong Zeng,Pengfei Li,Fugang Hu,Hao Yang,Jianqiao Su,Daxian Cao,Kefu Chen
Responsive ionic hydrogels with switchable stiffness exhibit broad potential for practical applications. However, the presence of hydration layers presents significant challenges in optimizing the performance of these materials. In this manuscript, we report a strategy for converting the hydration layer of ionic hydrogels into a transitional layer. This enables isochoric and reversible switching between soft ionic hydrogels and rigid polymers by adjusting phase separation, accompanied by a gigantic stiffness change from approximately 0.36 MPa to 694.90 MPa. By analyzing these mechanical responses during continuous phase separation, we identified a three-stage evolution pattern: transitioning from a soft state to a tough state, and ultimately to a robust state. Meanwhile, research has demonstrated that the presence of a transition layer not only ensures uniform stress distribution and defect-free structures in ionic hydrogels at low stiffness levels but also significantly enhances the dimensional stability, mechanical integrity, and fatigue resistance of the polymer network during stiffness-switching. This ultimately facilitates the successful fabrication of polymer materials with a broad range of tunable stiffness and enhanced toughness. This work presents a novel strategy for integrating transitional layers into ionic hydrogels, underscoring their potential for applications requiring isochoric and a broad range of adjustable stiffnesses.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
高分子化学
·
力学性能研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
·
2021
·
IF 5.302
Xudong Wang,Ke Chen,Erxiao Wu,Yiming Zhang,Haoming Ding,Nianxiang Qiu,Yujie Song,Shiyu Du,Zhifang Chai,Qing Huang
Thermal expansion of MAX phases along different directions tends to be different because of the anisotropy of hexagonal crystals. Herein, a new Hf 2 SeC phase was synthesized and confirmed to be relatively isotropic, and the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) along a and c directions were determined to be 9.73 μK −1 and 10.18 μK −1 , respectively. The strong MS bond endowed Hf 2 SC and Zr 2 SC lower CTEs than those of Hf 2 SeC and Zr 2 SeC. The relationship between the thermal expansion anisotropy and the ratio of elastic stiffness constant c 11 and c 33 was established. This straightforward approximation can be used to roughly predict the thermal expansion anisotropy of MAX phases.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
物理学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）