Responsive Hydrogels: Perspectives, Modelling, and Ongoing Efforts - presented by Prof. Tom Montenegro-Johnson FIMA

Responsive Hydrogels: Perspectives, Modelling, and Ongoing Efforts

Prof. Tom Montenegro-Johnson FIMA

Prof. Tom Montenegro-Johnson FIMA
Slide at 12:56
DAMTP Fluids Semin... Why are hydrogels interesting mathematically? Hydrogel dynamics is rich: Elastic network which exhibits large (nonlinear) deformations. Fluid flow through the pores, coupled to the elastic deformations. Heterogeneous - but homogeneously SO... Designable. Interesting behaviour, including wrinkling, phase separation, and hysteresis. Can add-in more physics/chemistry to taste (heat transfer, oscillating reactions). Experimentally-realisable system, close enough to tissue/other systems to be rel- evant (maths can lead to impact). At the same time, they are not as complicated as, for instance, actual living, growing, human tissues, so it is in some sense easier to capture mathematically. Responsive Hydrogels
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Summary (AI generated)

I find them interesting mathematically and suggest three areas to study: flow beyond Darcy, living with gels, and smart materials. Flow beyond Darcy involves understanding channeling and reconfiguration of elastic matrices. Living with gels explores cell-gel interactions and cell signaling within the matrix. Smart materials focus on achieving anisotropy and autonomy. I believe the third area, smart materials, is the most enjoyable and plan to focus on it by combining active matter with responsive hydrogels to create smarter microscale devices.