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
Gelatin hydrogels are three-dimensional, water-swollen polymer networks derived from gelatin, a natural polypeptide obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen. Collagen is one of the most abundant structural proteins in the extracellular matrix of mammalian tissues, and its denaturation yields gelatin with a linear molecular structure rich in Gly–X–Y amino acid sequences, primarily glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
Fibrin hydrogels are natural, protein-based biomaterials formed from fibrin, the insoluble polymer generated during blood coagulation. Fibrin originates from fibrinogen, a plasma glycoprotein composed of three paired polypeptide chains that assemble into a fibrous network upon enzymatic activation. In physiological conditions, fibrin formation is triggered by thrombin-mediated cleavage of fibrinogen, exposing polymerization sites that drive spontaneous self-assembly into a hydrated, porous matrix.
Elastin hydrogels are soft, water-swollen polymer networks derived from elastin or its soluble precursors. Elastin is a highly elastic extracellular matrix protein responsible for the resilience and recoil of tissues such as blood vessels, skin, and lungs. Native elastin is extremely insoluble due to extensive crosslinking, so hydrogel systems are typically formed from soluble elastin derivatives, including elastin peptides, α-elastin, or recombinant human tropoelastin—the natural soluble monomer of elastin.
Dextran hydrogels are three-dimensional, water-swollen polymer networks derived from dextran, a naturally occurring polysaccharide composed primarily of α-1,6-linked glucopyranose units with a low degree of α-1,3 branching. Dextran is biosynthesized extracellularly by bacteria such as Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus in sucrose-rich environments and is available over a wide range of molecular weights.
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.