Fig. 3: Swelling-stiffening behavior. | Nature Communications

Fig. 3: Swelling-stiffening behavior.

From: 4D printed hydrogel scaffold with swelling-stiffening properties and programmable deformation for minimally invasive implantation

Fig. 3

a Digital photos showing the reversibility of swelling-stiffening behavior of DTPU-0.25-4k. b Digital photos showing swelling-induced improvement of compression resistance for DTPU-0.25-4k stents. c Schematic illustrations of the microphase separation structure formed between the soft and hard segments of dry DTPU and the microphase separation structure formed between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of hydrated DTPU. d Time-dependent water contact angle of water droplet on the DTPU films with different MPEG and PEG/PCL-triol. e 1D SAXS profiles of DTPU-0.25-4k in the dry and hydrated states. f Tan δ-temperature curves of DTPU-0.25-4k in the dry and hydrated states. Data in (d) are presented as mean values  ±  SD (n = 3).

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