Our aim is to design a new class of dynamic, bio-inspired polymeric materials that become stronger and tougher in response to mechanical deformation. Traditionally, mechanical deformation has been considered detrimental to the behavior of polymeric materials and is not commonly employed to improve the properties of such soft systems. Biological systems, on the other hand, have evolved a number of strategies for harnessing mechanical force as a beneficial stimulus—one that is vital to the functionality of the organism. Cryptic bonds are a prime example of an adaptive, biological component that is “switched on” by mechanical force and then serves to strengthen the biomaterial. Namely, “cryptic” binding sites lie buried and hidden within folded biopolymers (e.g., proteins), but become exposed under a mechanical deformation. The exposed cryptic sites then participate in bond formation, which in turn leads to more interconnected, and hence, stronger structures. Such cryptic binding sites play a crucial role in the structure formation of fibronectin (Fn), which is essential for wound healing, embryonic development, and the normal functioning of vertebrates. Based on their unique mechano-responsive behavior, cryptic bonds constitute a powerful design motif for creating synthetic polymeric materials that exhibit unprecedented mechanical behavior by becoming responsively strong and tough, and thus, address the pervasive need for materials that provide a beneficial response to mechanical stress. We describe our results on developing new models for polymer networks that encompass the functionality of bio-inspired cryptic bonds and hence, design mechano-responsive and self-reinforcing materials.

Designing mechano-responsive polymers that encompass biomimetic cryptic bonds

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.