Hydrogels

We develop materials that can perform a specific function in the biological milieu as hydrogels. Biological molecules or synthetic polymers serve as starting materials.

A hydrogel is a water-containing and at the same time water-insoluble polymer. The polymer can be of natural origin, such as gelatin, or of artificial origin. Examples include polaxamers, block polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Hydrogel molecules are chemically linked to form three-dimensional networks, for example, by ionic or covalent bonds or entanglements of the polymer chains. In water, they swell due to an incorporated and hydrophilic polymer component and thus obtain a high increase in volume. In some gels, it comes up to 90 percent water content.

Our know-how in the production of synthetic polymers for hydrogel production covers all polymerization processes such as radical, ionic and step growth polymerization. Likewise, we use existing biomaterials, which are functionalized depending on the application. For example, we work with the following materials:

• Gelatin
• Chitosan
• Hyaluronic acid
• Alginates
• Synthetic hydrogels, e.g. based on polyethylene glycol

Applications for hydrogels

Hydrogels play a role in a considerable number of biotechnological developments or applications in medicine.

• Medical devices, e.g. membranes, fibers and nonwovens
• Textile coating
• Biofunctional particles
• Implant development
• Drug release
• Biosensor technology
• Tissue Engineering