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FAQ

Q: Why did you choose burns as the injury you will treat with this design?

A: Our group chose to do this project with the goal of treating burns because we think it is a very useful application of hydrogel, but with a lot of improvements to be made. We also think a hydrogel design such as ours, if marketed to first- and second-degree burn victims, could help the healing process and prevent infections by soothing and protecting the wound. You can find more information about our project goal under the Project Overview page.


Q: How did you determine the concentrations of calcium chloride you will use to make each hydrogel layer?

A: After watching this video, the group decided to experiment on our own with the hydrogel using the concentrations shown in the video. Then, we tried again, varying only the concentration of calcium chloride. This allowed us to see what concentrations would yield more viscous hydrogel for use in our thick layer, and what concentrations would yield a less viscous hydrogel for use in our thin layer. You can find more information about our experimental design, including concentrations and more, under the Week Five Progress update.

Q: What signal are you using to measure the hydrogel's release rates?


A: The signal we are using is a fluorescently-labeled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA). You can find more information on how we plan to test our hydrogel under the Week Five Progress update.

Q: Why is it important that your prototype therapeutic has a high molecular weight?


A: The molecular weight of our prototype therapeutic must have a high molecular weight, because this is related to the rate at which it will seep through the pores of the hydrogel. The higher the molecular weight, the more control we will be able to have over the release of the therapeutic. You can find more information about choosing our prototype therapeutic under the Week Four Progress update.

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