Fig. 2.

Mechanical characterization of GELGYM. a) Representative tensile stress/strain curves for GELGYM (22.5% w/v and crosslinked for 5 min) with varying FD and their corresponding mean tensile modulus (b), ultimate tensile (c) and energy at breaks (d), compared to those of GelMA (GM) and fresh human cornea (HC). (The inset in (a) demonstrates the unique elasticity of GELGYM). e) Representative tensile stress/strain curve of GELGYM hydrogels (FD of 175% and 22.5% w/v) with varying CT and their corresponding mean tensile modulus (f), ultimate tensile (g), and energy at breaks (h), compared to those of GelMA and fresh human cornea. i) Representative tensile stress/strain curve of GELGYM hydrogel (FD of 175% and crosslinked for 5 min) with varying concentration and their corresponding tensile modulus (j), ultimate tensile (k), and energy at breaks (l), compared to GelMA and fresh human cornea. (m) Representative compressive stress/strain curves for GELGYM (22.5% w/v and crosslinked for 5 min) with varying FD. The mean compressive modulus of GELGYM with varying FD (n), CT (o), and concentration (p), compared to those of GelMA and fresh human cornea. (The inset of (m) demonstrates the unique compressibility of the GELGYM).