Magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites as remote controlled microfluidic valves.

In recent years, hydrogels have attracted attention as active components in microfluidic devices. Here, we present a demonstration of remote controlled flow regulation in a microfluidic device using a hydrogel nanocomposite valve. To create the nanocomposite hydrogel, magnetic nanoparticles were dispersed in temperature-responsive N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) hydrogels.

Nanocomposite degradable hydrogels: demonstration of remote controlled degradation and drug release.

Purpose: To demonstrate remote controlled degradation of degradable nanocomposite hydrogels by application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Further, it was desired to study the AMF effect on the drug release properties of these systems.

Methods: Degradable nanocomposite hydrogels were synthesized by incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles into a degradable hydrogel that exhibited temperature dependent degradation.

Magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites for remote controlled pulsatile drug release.

Hydrogel nanocomposites are novel macromolecular biomaterials that promise to impact various applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields. In this paper, magnetic nanocomposites of temperature responsive hydrogels were used to illustrate remote controlled (RC) drug delivery. A high frequency alternating magnetic field (AMF) was used to trigger the on-demand pulsatile drug release from the nanocomposites.

Hydrogel nanocomposites as remote-controlled biomaterials.

Nanocomposite hydrogels are a new class of intelligent materials which have recently attracted interest as biomaterials. In this study, magnetic nanocomposites of temperature-sensitive hydrogels have been developed and demonstrated to be responsive to alternating magnetic fields. Nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporation of superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) particles in negative temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels.