Magneto-active hydrogels (MAHs) consist of a polymeric network doped with magnetic particles that enable the material to mechanically respond to magnetic stimuli. This multifunctionality allows for modulation of mechanical properties in a remote and dynamic manner. These characteristics combined with the biocompatibility of hydrogels, make MAHs excellent for drug delivery and biological scaffolds. In this work, ultra-soft biological MAHs with strong magnetostriction are fabricated from human blood plasma (20 Pa). The material is experimentally tested using a novel device that allows for a precise control of magnetic actuation conditions, enabling the hydrogel modulation in terms of mechanical deformation and stiffness. We study the impact of magnetic actuation on the solvent expulsion and diffusion dynamics within the polymeric network. To further elucidate the mechanisms driving solvent diffusion processes, a computational framework for modeling the diffusion process of two different species within a magneto-responsive material is proposed. These experimental and computational outcomes open exciting new opportunities for the use of ultra-soft MAHs in bioengineering applications.

中文翻译：

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超软生物水凝胶中磁力机械衍生的扩散过程


磁活性水凝胶（MAH）由掺杂有磁性颗粒的聚合物网络组成，使材料能够对磁刺激产生机械响应。这种多功能性允许以远程和​​动态的方式调节机械性能。这些特性与水凝胶的生物相容性相结合，使 MAH 非常适合药物输送和生物支架。在这项工作中，利用人体血浆（20 Pa）制备了具有强磁致伸缩的超软生物MAH。该材料使用一种新型装置进行了实验测试，该装置可以精确控制磁驱动条件，从而实现水凝胶在机械变形和刚度方面的调节。我们研究了磁驱动对聚合物网络内溶剂排出和扩散动力学的影响。为了进一步阐明驱动溶剂扩散过程的机制，提出了一种用于模拟磁响应材料内两种不同物质的扩散过程的计算框架。这些实验和计算结果为超软 MAH 在生物工程应用中的使用带来了令人兴奋的新机会。