Photo Initiated Polyampholyte Hydrogels Display Non-Fouling Properties
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Matthew Bernards, University of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Cross-linked polyampholyte hydrogels have properties that allow for up to 90% of their composition to be water. Because of their high water composition, it would be thermodynamically unfavorable for biological masses, such as cells or proteins, to adhere to the layer of water around the hydrogels. In the past, the Bernards lab investigated the non-fouling ability of these hydrogels. Three groups of hydrogels were examined: the control group, composed of hydrogels which were polymerized using a chemical initiator, and two experimental groups, which were polymerized using two different photo-chemical initiators. It was determined that the hydrogels which were formed using photo-chemical initiators under UV light were fouling. That is, their surfaces adsorbed biological masses. However, it was unlikely for this to be the case. Therefore, the Bernards lab reinvestigated the non-fouling properties of the hydrogels. It was found that the photo initiated hydrogels displayed no significantly different amount of fouling in comparison to the control hydrogel.
Cross-linked polyampholyte hydrogels have potential for applications in biomedical fields, owing to qualities that make them good candidates in the fields of drug delivery and tissue engineering. Many of these properties rely on the ability of the hydrogels to be non-fouling. The polymerization of these hydrogels typically requires chemical initiation. This process requires at least thirty minutes at 60 degrees Celsius. Photo initiation of the hydrogel polymerization process using 405 nm and 365 nm UV light was investigated. The photo-initiated hydrogels were formed in less than a minute. It was quantitatively determined that hydrogels produced using the photo initiators Irgacure 2959 and LAP at 365 nm UV light had no significant difference in fouling in comparison to the chemically initiated hydrogels.
Photo Initiated Polyampholyte Hydrogels Display Non-Fouling Properties
Cross-linked polyampholyte hydrogels have properties that allow for up to 90% of their composition to be water. Because of their high water composition, it would be thermodynamically unfavorable for biological masses, such as cells or proteins, to adhere to the layer of water around the hydrogels. In the past, the Bernards lab investigated the non-fouling ability of these hydrogels. Three groups of hydrogels were examined: the control group, composed of hydrogels which were polymerized using a chemical initiator, and two experimental groups, which were polymerized using two different photo-chemical initiators. It was determined that the hydrogels which were formed using photo-chemical initiators under UV light were fouling. That is, their surfaces adsorbed biological masses. However, it was unlikely for this to be the case. Therefore, the Bernards lab reinvestigated the non-fouling properties of the hydrogels. It was found that the photo initiated hydrogels displayed no significantly different amount of fouling in comparison to the control hydrogel.
Cross-linked polyampholyte hydrogels have potential for applications in biomedical fields, owing to qualities that make them good candidates in the fields of drug delivery and tissue engineering. Many of these properties rely on the ability of the hydrogels to be non-fouling. The polymerization of these hydrogels typically requires chemical initiation. This process requires at least thirty minutes at 60 degrees Celsius. Photo initiation of the hydrogel polymerization process using 405 nm and 365 nm UV light was investigated. The photo-initiated hydrogels were formed in less than a minute. It was quantitatively determined that hydrogels produced using the photo initiators Irgacure 2959 and LAP at 365 nm UV light had no significant difference in fouling in comparison to the chemically initiated hydrogels.