Hydrogel Microstructures: Characterization of Mass and Swelling of Hydrogel Microstructures using MEMS Resonant Mass Sensor Arrays (Small 16/2012)

Through photolithography, poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate microstructures can be attached to microelectromechanical system resonant mass sensor arrays to enable the characterization of hydrogel mass and swelling. Mass values obtained coincide with the values obtained through imaging-based measures of microstructure volume for independent mass determination. The data shown on page 2555 indicate a size-dependent increase in gel mass with increasing fluid density; volume comparisons of a range of bulk hydrogel concentrations (5% to 100% v/v) show a non-linear swelling trend.