Designing Adaptation in Hydrogels by Signal-Triggered Reconfiguration of Responsiveness using Constitutional Dynamic Chemistry

• Applicant: Dr. Davide Campagna
• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers ; Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 555264856

The project aims to overcome conventional responsive soft materials and achieve a truly adaptive hydrogel system that can gradually change its responsivity upon repetitive stimulation. To do so, we will employ signal-modulated constitutional dynamic components to chemically reconfigure the crosslinking segments and their responsive functionalities. This innovative approach will involve three sequential work packages: (1) understanding the constitutional dynamic chemistry applied to reconfigure the responsivity of the hydrogel network, (2) implementing light signal processing to achieve adaptation in the context of non-associative learning as habituation or sensitization to the signal, (3) upgrading the signal-processing to achieve a light frequency-dependent adaptation. By modulating the hydrogel structure in this manner, we will enable signal-triggered reconfigurations, mimicking living systems' dynamic responsivity. Such bridging of biological principles with materials science will contribute to the progress of self-regulating materials applicable in mutable external environments.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position