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
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a synthetic aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid monomers. Its chemical structure is based on repeating ester-linked lactic acid units, which can be arranged in different stereochemical configurations depending on the ratio of L- and D-lactic acid. PLA is primarily produced from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane through the fermentation of carbohydrates into lactic acid, followed by polymer synthesis.
Polyurethanes (PUs) are a versatile family of synthetic polymers characterized by the presence of urethane (carbamate) linkages in their backbone. They are industrially synthesized through step-growth polymerization reactions between diisocyanates and polyols, followed by chain extension using low–molecular weight diols or diamines. The resulting macromolecular architecture is typically segmented, consisting of soft segments (derived from polyether, polyester, or polycarbonate polyols) and hard segments (formed from diisocyanates and chain extenders).
Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels are synthetic, water-swollen polymer networks formed by chemically crosslinking PEG chains functionalized with acrylate end groups. PEG itself is a hydrophilic, non-ionic polymer produced through industrial polymerization of ethylene oxide, widely used in biomedical applications due to its chemical stability and low toxicity. PEGDA is synthesized by reacting PEG with acrylate-containing reagents, introducing reactive carbon–carbon double bonds at both chain ends.
Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a synthetic, biodegradable aliphatic polyester widely used in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. It is composed of repeating caprolactone units linked by ester bonds, giving the polymer a semi-crystalline structure with hydrophobic character. PCL is produced industrially through the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, most commonly using metal catalysts or enzymatic routes.
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.