|
|
|
| Abstract Title:
|
| Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Magnetic Hydrogel Nanocomposites Capable of Remote-Controlled Heating
|
| Graduate Student Presenter:
|
Samantha A Meenach
|
| Name of the Author(s) and Affiliation(s):
|
Samantha A Meenach, University of Kentucky; J. Zach Hilt, University of Kentucky, Kimberly W. Anderson, University of Kentucky
|
|
Hydrogel nanocomposites have been investigated with increasing interest over the last several years due their ability to improve or enhance the properties of conventional hydrogels. These improvements may include, but are not limited to, increased mechanical strength or the ability for the gels to be remotely-controlled via external stimuli such as light or magnetic fields. These systems can be utilized in a wide variety of biomedical applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. In this work, the nanocomposites studied involved a temperature-responsive, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based system and a stealth, poly(ethylene glycol)-based system, both with and without iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles incorporated into the hydrogel matrices. The addition of iron oxide nanoparticles allows for the nanocomposites to be heated upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field due to the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. This heat can then induce a swelling response in the temperature-responsive hydrogel nanocomposites. Swelling analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis were performed to show the swelling capabilities and nanoparticle loadings of the systems. Remote-controlled heating analysis of the gels was completed to show the thermal capability of the gels. Cytocompatibility analysis performed on the nanoparticles and nanocomposites to show that they can be safely used in implant applications. Thus far these systems show favorable heating capabilities in their swollen state with complementary biocompatibility characteristics.
|
|
|
