Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties

Roca-Arroyo, Andres F.; Gutierrez-Rivera, Jhonatan A.; Morton, Logan D.; Castilla-Casadiego, David A.

doi:10.3390/gels11080588

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Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties

by

Andres F. Roca-Arroyo

^1,†

,

Jhonatan A. Gutierrez-Rivera

^1,†,

Logan D. Morton

^2,*

and

David A. Castilla-Casadiego

^1,*

¹

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA

²

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Gels 2025, 11(8), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080588

Submission received: 1 July 2025 / Revised: 21 July 2025 / Accepted: 23 July 2025 / Published: 30 July 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the Art Gel Research in USA)

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Abstract

This comprehensive review explores the expansive design space of network architectures and their significant impact on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of hydrogel systems. By examining the intricate relationships between molecular structure, network connectivity, and resulting bulk properties, we provide critical insights into rational design strategies for tailoring hydrogel mechanics for specific applications. Recent advances in sequence-defined crosslinkers, dynamic covalent chemistries, and biomimetic approaches have significantly expanded the toolbox for creating hydrogels with precisely controlled viscoelasticity, stiffness, and stress relaxation behavior—properties that are crucial for biomedical applications, particularly in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Keywords: hydrogel; crosslinker architecture; viscoelasticity; biomimetic; structure–property relationships; extracellular matrix mimic

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MDPI and ACS Style

Roca-Arroyo, A.F.; Gutierrez-Rivera, J.A.; Morton, L.D.; Castilla-Casadiego, D.A. Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties. Gels 2025, 11, 588. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080588

AMA Style

Roca-Arroyo AF, Gutierrez-Rivera JA, Morton LD, Castilla-Casadiego DA. Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties. Gels. 2025; 11(8):588. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080588

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roca-Arroyo, Andres F., Jhonatan A. Gutierrez-Rivera, Logan D. Morton, and David A. Castilla-Casadiego. 2025. "Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties" Gels 11, no. 8: 588. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080588

APA Style

Roca-Arroyo, A. F., Gutierrez-Rivera, J. A., Morton, L. D., & Castilla-Casadiego, D. A. (2025). Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties. Gels, 11(8), 588. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080588

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Hydrogel Network Architecture Design Space: Impact on Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties

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