Programming the photoelasticity of hydrogels for label-free mechanosensing by a simultaneous birefringence-stress reader (SiBRe)

Chemical Communications 2026

View at publisher
Authors: Riku Katsuki, M. Eisenmann, Shalika Singh, T. Tomaru, Masumi Taki
DOI: 10.1039/d5cc06937h
Cited by: 0
References: 36

Abstract

We present a strategy to program hydrogel photoelasticity using rationally designed force-transducing crosslinkers. Enabled by a simultaneous birefringence-stress reader (SiBRe), we show that stress-induced unfolding of flexible linkers can amplify the optical response, establishing a robust, dye-free platform for quantitative mechanosensing.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Hydrogels: synthesis properties applications Advanced Materials and Mechanics Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Publication details

Journal / source
Chemical Communications
Volume
62
Issue
23
Pages
6314–6318
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN