Fig. 3. Alginate beads display favorable swelling properties. Alginate beads made using different gauge needles with ejection driven either by syringe pump or manual pressure. (A) Effect of synthesis method for 2% alginate beads. (B) Effect of synthesis method for 1.5% alginate beads. (C and D) Representative images of alginate beads. (E) Swelling ratio of 2% beads in media. (F) Swelling ratio of 2% beads in saline. (G) Swelling ratio of 1.5% beads in media. (H) Swelling ratio of 1.5% beads in saline. Data expressed as means ± SD, N = 3 (4 beads per repeat). Analysis was performed via two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison test, where *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 and ****p < 0.0001.