Figure 3.

Schematic illustration of static and dynamic mechanical stimulation for hydrogel materials. A) Through modulating stiffness, hydrogels can mimic specific tissue matrix elasticity to suit different cell types.^{[ 86} , ^{113 ]} B) The topography and morphology of hydrogel such as internal structures (e.g., porous and fibrous hydrogel network and macroporosity of hydrogel scaffold) and surface structures (e.g., 3D hydrogel geometry, surface architecture) influence material physical features and cell behaviors. C) Dynamic mechanical stimuli exerted on hydrogel materials by external equipment, including compression, stretching, stirring, vacuum pressure, and magnetic field. D) Microfluidic device/hydrogel‐integrated platform provides flow‐induced shear stress and mimics different in vivo flow patterns (e.g., steady or pulsatile luminal flow, transmural flow, interstitial flow).^{[ 111 ]}