Title:

Strong and Tough Hydrogels Inspired by Nature's Composite Hierarchical Strategy

Speaker:

Prof. Wei Zhai

Affiliation:

National University of Singapore

When:

Monday, February 3, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM   Add to Calendar

Where:

MRDC Building, Room 4211

Host:

Christos Athanasiou
athanasiou@gatech.edu

Abstract

Nature's composite systems, such as collagen-based tissues, bamboo, and nacre, achieve remarkable strength, toughness, and multifunctionality through the integration of hierarchical structuring and composite synergy. Inspired by these designs, we present a framework for developing advanced hydrogel systems that incorporate hierarchical structuring across molecular to macroscopic scales to achieve superior mechanical and functional properties. Using freeze-casting-assisted solution substitution, we developed organo-hydrogels with tendon-inspired architectures that integrate molecular interactions, nanoscale fibril alignment, and microscale organization, validated through multiscale simulations. Bamboo-inspired nanofiber-reinforced hydrogels were created using a bottom-up assembly strategy to replicate the balance of strength and flexibility observed in fibrous natural composites. Nacre-inspired ceramic-reinforced organo-hydrogels were fabricated using direct-ink-write 3D printing, where shear-induced alignment of ceramic platelets formed layered architectures with tunable mechanical performance and conductivity. By integrating nature's design principles with advanced processing techniques, these hydrogel systems open new possibilities for the scalable development of materials in flexible electronics, robotics, and biomedical devices.

Biography

Dr. Wei Zhai is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research specializes in designing and processing soft and architected materials, with a focus on multiscale structural control to tailor material properties and achieve multifunctionality for applications in electronics, healthcare, and energy systems. Since joining NUS in 2019, she has published in journals including Nature Communications, Science Advances, JMPS, Advanced Materials, Materials Today, Matter, etc. Dr. Zhai received her B.Eng from the University of Science and Technology Beijing in 2011 and her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in 2015. She subsequently worked as a Research Scientist at the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, A*STAR, until 2019. Currently, she also serves as Deputy Director of the Additive Manufacturing Centre (AM.NUS) at NUS. She serves as an Editor for Materials & Design and a Section Editor on Porous Materials for Materials Today Communications.