Granular
hydrogel formation and characterization. (A) Schematic
representation of microgel fabrication by EF. (B,C) Particle diameter
throughout the extrusion process of 5%w/v DexMA gels (mean
± SD; n = 200 particles), quantified using fluorescence
microscopy images (C, scale bar = 100 μm). Representative particles
are outlined (yellow) for clarity. (D) Final particle diameter of
5%w/v DexMA and 5%w/v DexMA +10%w/v MeCD microgels (mean ± SD; n = 200; ns = not
significant). (E) Continuous flow experiments showing the shear stress
and viscosity of 5%w/v DexMA +10%w/v MeCD granular
hydrogels. (F) Cyclic deformation at low (0.5%) and high (500%) strain
(1.0 Hz) of 5%w/v DexMA + 10%w/v MeCD hydrogels; G′ (storage modulus, dark purple, circle), G″ (loss modulus, light purple, circle). (G) Representative
images of granular hydrogel injection (30G needle, 1 mL syringe; scale
bar = 5 mm).