Figure 2.

Mechanical testing and degradation of the reinforcement material and of the HA‐TG hydrogel. A) The cumulative mass loss of the reinforcement material is shown in percentage over the course of 112 d (n = 3). Release of the material was measured via HPLC. Each timepoint was found statistically significant with respect to day 0. B) Molecular weight (Mw) of the reinforced material over the course of 112 d with a quasi‐linear downward skewed decrease with a clear drop at day 112 observed. Each timepoint was found statistically significant with respect to day 0, except for day 1. C) Compressive modulus of the HA‐TG hydrogel over 63 d (n = 3): A first net increase in stiffness was observed between day 1 and day 21, followed by an upward‐skewed plateau until day 49 with a final pronounced increase in stiffness at day 63. Each timepoint was found statistically significant with respect to day 1. D) Compressive modulus of the reinforced HA‐TG hydrogel over the course of 63 d (n = 3): A linear increase in stiffness was observed from day 1 to day 35, followed by a drop in stiffness at day 42. The samples recovered in stiffness after this timepoint, reaching similar values to the HA‐TG hydrogel without reinforcement at day 63. Data represents mean and standard deviation of n = 3 independent experiments. Each timepoint was found statistically significant with respect to day 1. P values were calculated using a simple t‐test.