Abhishek Pachauri1,Jeffrey Bates1
The University of Utah1
Abhishek Pachauri1,Jeffrey Bates1
The University of Utah1
Most hydrogels lack good stretchable properties that limit their usage in wearable sensor related applications. Here, an ion responsive hydrogel with high mechanical toughness is synthesized and 3 D printed. Phosphate buffer solution (PBS) is used as a stimulus and the hydrogel is designed to swell several times its original volume when kept in PBS solution. Swelling kinetics of hydrogel in PBS solution is analyzed and mechanical properties of hydrogel are measured. In order to accomplish required 3 D printing properties, rheological characterization of hydrogel is performed. The use of this hydrogel film as a wearable sensor material is investigated.