Fig. 4: Structural and mechanical properties of a cilia-like 3DBCPM supported with a hydrogel.

a Schematic illustration of a cilia-like 3DBCPM with a hydrogel as a support. b Confocal fluorescence microscopy images of a hydrogel-supported 3DBCPM array. Scale bar: 5 μm. c Time-sequential images of cilia-like 3DBCPMs with and without hydrogel support under a mild flow of aqueous solution. Scale bar: 5 μm. d Mechanical modulus of 3DBCPMs with different hydrogel concentrations. Data are presented as means ± standard deviation (n = 4 independent samples). e Mechanical stability of 3DBCPMs with and without hydrogel support in aqueous solution.