High-Throughput Modulus Measurements of Ultra-Soft Polymer Networks

Published

January 1, 2005

Author(s)

Elizabeth A. Wilder, Shu Guo, Martin Chiang, Christopher Stafford

Abstract

A metrology for rapidly measuring the modulus of ultra-soft polymer networks has been developed. The method utilizes compression-induced buckling of a sensor film that is applied to the surface of the specimen, where the modulus-dependent buckling wavelength can be rapidly assessed by laser light diffraction or optical microscopy. We first predict the sensitivity of the critical strain and resulting wavelength of the buckling instability to the modulus and thickness of the sensor film as well as the modulus of the ultra-soft material being probed. Then, the technique is validated using a model system (cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane)) and then is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of a relevant biomaterial (cross-linked 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels). We also show how this metrology can be utilized to map the modulus across a gradient substrate.

Citation

Macromolecules

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

biomaterials, buckling, combinatorial, gels, high throughput, hydrogels, metrology, modulus, networks

Citation

Wilder, E. , Guo, S. , Chiang, M. and Stafford, C. (2005), High-Throughput Modulus Measurements of Ultra-Soft Polymer Networks, Macromolecules, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=852592 (Accessed October 11, 2025)