Soft Polymers Library
Elastosens™ Bio Applications
Soft polymers and biomaterials are versatile materials widely used in industries ranging from biomedical and pharmaceutical applications to packaging, coatings, and advanced manufacturing. Their mechanical behavior is inherently viscoelastic, combining elastic energy storage with viscous dissipation. This behavior depends strongly on factors such as molecular weight, crosslinking density, temperature, and frequency of deformation. As a result, polymers can exhibit complex time- and temperature-dependent responses that directly influence their processability, stability, and end-use performance.
Measuring the viscoelastic properties of polymers and biomaterials is therefore essential for both research and industrial applications. Mechanical characterization enables scientists and engineers to understand structure–property relationships, optimize formulations, and predict long-term performance. By quantifying parameters such as storage and loss moduli across different conditions, they can fine-tune material properties, improve product reliability, and accelerate development from formulation to final application.
Applications on Soft Polymers
Extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels are biomaterials derived from native tissues after removal of cellular components through decellularization. The remaining matrix preserves key structural proteins (such as collagens, elastin, fibronectin, and laminin), proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans that define the biochemical and architectural identity of the source tissue. ECM is naturally produced by cells in all tissues and provides both mechanical support and biochemical signaling cues.
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels are three-dimensional, crosslinked polymer networks capable of absorbing and retaining extremely large amounts of water—often hundreds to thousands of times their own weight—while remaining insoluble. Their structure is based on hydrophilic polymer chains containing functional groups such as carboxylate, hydroxyl, or amide moieties, which generate strong osmotic driving forces for water uptake.
Polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels are synthetic, water-swollen polymer networks formed from acrylamide monomers chemically or physically crosslinked into a three-dimensional structure. Polyacrylamide itself is an organic polymer composed of repeating acrylamide subunits, and when crosslinked in aqueous environments, it forms soft, highly hydrated gels with tissue-like mechanical behavior. PAM hydrogels are entirely synthetic and industrially produced, offering high batch-to-batch reproducibility and tunable properties.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, thermoplastic polymer belonging to the acrylic resin family. It is formed by the free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers, resulting in a linear, amorphous polymer with high optical clarity and structural rigidity. PMMA is entirely industrially produced, with MMA synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks and polymerized using controlled thermal, chemical, or photochemical initiation.
Mechanical Testing for Soft Polymers
ElastoSens™ Bio enables real-time, non-contact mechanical characterization of soft polymers and biomaterials. Samples can be placed directly into the available sample holders (macro, micro, or membrane) and tested with minimal preparation, while temperature, irradiation, and other environmental conditions can be controlled to simulate processing or application settings. Mechanical parameters are displayed instantly on the tablet, providing immediate and quantitative insight into polymer viscoelasticity and performance. The non-destructive feature allows re-testing of the same sample to investigate long-term mechanical behavior during incubation under relevant environmental conditions.
In this example, a collagen hydrogel was loaded into the µ-volume sample holder and tested after gelation at 37 °C. The average shear storage modulus (G′) was 565 ± 29.5 Pa (n=3).
PEGDA at different concentrations was photocrosslinked in the ElastoSens™ Bio under 405 nm light for 8 minutes. As expected, an increase in the final G′ was observed with increasing polymer concentration, resulting in values ranging from 1 kPa to 60 kPa.
Benefits of Contact-Free, Non-Invasive Measurements with the Elastosens™ Bio
- Non-destructively measure the viscoelastic properties of synthetic and natural polymers, from elastomers and hydrogels to thin films and membranes.
- Apply controlled temperature, irradiation, and environmental conditions to study material behavior under relevant processing or application scenarios.
- Re-test the same sample over time to evaluate mechanical stability and long-term performance without damage.
- Operate an intuitive system designed for researchers, engineers, technicians, and quality control specialists alike.
- Improve repeatability while accelerating R&D and quality control workflows.
- Access advanced Soft Matter Analytics™ for reliable and in-depth viscoelastic characterization.
- Benefit from a modular, scalable solution tailored to your laboratory needs and budget.