Stimuli-responsive materials are often referred to as �smart� or �adaptive� due to the ability to change (some of) their properties on command. Such materials are garnering increasing attention in the context of biomedical applications, for example as mechanically-adaptive implants. One appealing design approach for such mechanically-adaptive materials, is the preparation of biologically-inspired nanocomposites, which are composed of a polymeric matrix and reinforcing nanofibers and where the overall mechanical properties are controlled by modulating nanofiber-nanofiber interactions via an external stimulus. Herein, we report a new generation of physiologically-responsive, mechanically-adaptive nanocomposites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). In the dry state, these materials exhibit a much higher stiffness than the neat PVOH and offer a large mechanical contrast (up to 1000-fold) upon immersing into physiological conditions. Varying the CNC type and content and the processing temperature allows one to tailor the mechanical properties over a broad range.

Mechanically-adaptive materials for direct neural interfaces

245th National Meeting (2013)

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