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
A collagen hydrogel is a hydrated, three-dimensional polymer network formed from collagen, the most abundant structural protein in mammalian extracellular matrices. Collagen molecules consist of three polypeptide α-chains arranged in a characteristic triple-helical structure stabilized by hydrogen bonding and specific amino acid motifs rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
Cellulose hydrogels are three-dimensional, water-rich polymer networks derived from cellulose, a linear polysaccharide composed of β-(1→4)-linked D-glucose units. Cellulose is the most abundant natural biopolymer and is primarily sourced from plant biomass such as wood and cotton, but it can also be produced by bacteria, algae, fungi, and tunicates. Native cellulose is insoluble in water; therefore, hydrogel formation typically relies on chemical modification, dissolution–regeneration processes, or the use of cellulose derivatives.
Alginate hydrogels are water-rich, three-dimensional polymer networks derived from alginate, a naturally occurring anionic polysaccharide. Alginate is primarily extracted from the cell walls of brown seaweeds belonging to the Phaeophyceae class, although it can also be biosynthesized by certain bacterial species such as Azotobacter and Pseudomonas. Structurally, alginate is a linear copolymer composed of β-D-mannuronic acid (M units) and α-L-guluronic acid (G units) linked via 1→4 glycosidic bonds.
Agarose is a natural, linear polysaccharide extracted primarily from marine red algae. Structurally, it is composed of repeating agarobiose units, a disaccharide consisting of D-galactose and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose. When dissolved in hot aqueous solutions and subsequently cooled, agarose chains undergo self-assembly into a three-dimensional network stabilized by hydrogen bonding and helix formation, entrapping large volumes of water and forming a physically crosslinked hydrogel.
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.