Polymer networks are complex systems consisting of molecular components. Whereas the
properties of the individual components are typically well understood by most chemists …

Superabsorbent hydrogels (SH) continue being a very important issue in both academic and
industrial fields due to their applications in several technologies. This is proved by the …

A proof of principle for the use of Diels–Alder chemistry as a thermoreversible cross-linking
tool for rubber products is demonstrated. A commercial ethylene-propylene rubber grafted …

Hydrogels possess magnificent properties which may be harnessed for novel applications.
However, this is not achievable if the mechanical behaviors of hydrogels are not well …

Mechanical behaviors of a polymer gel are coupled with its swelling behavior. It has been
known that typical hydrogels display extension-induced swelling and drying-induced …

The elasticity of disordered and polydisperse polymer networks is a fundamental problem of
soft matter physics that is still open. Here, we self-assemble polymer networks via …

Recently, we have developed a series of charge balanced polyampholyte (PA) physical
hydrogels by random copolymerization in water, which show extraordinarily high toughness …

This paper examines the desorption of hydrogels in contact with porous cementitious
materials to aid in understanding the mechanisms of water release from superabsorbent …

Bacterial contamination and biofilm formation on medical devices remain a costly and
serious healthcare problem. Silicone (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) elastomers are common …

Characterizing the mechanical response of the human amnion is essential to understand
and to eventually prevent premature rupture of fetal membranes. In this study, a large set of …