{
  "abstract": "To improve the structural adaptability and biological suitability of cochlear implant electrode carriers, this study systematically develops and evaluates novel 3D-printed, swellable hydrogel–silicone composites. A vinylphosphonic acid–acrylamide hydrogel powder (VPA-AAm) was pre-washed, milled, and sieved, incorporated into a silicone matrix, and 3D-printed before rapid thermal curing, followed by microstructural, swelling, and in vitro WST-1 cytotoxicity analyses. Pre-washing minimized particle agglomeration and facilitated high-resolution printing. Incorporating the hydrogel induced complete macroscopic opacity at 25 wt.% and localized microporosity during rapid thermal curing. The non-percolating morphology influenced swelling and mass transport through the composite, providing a mechanistic link between water uptake and the observed cell-viability response. While a 35 wt.% loading was associated with matrix degradation and cell viability below the 70% threshold, the 30 wt.% composition achieved the highest water absorption of approximately 400–460%, consistent with a favorable balance between osmotic swelling and matrix elasticity. This swelling behavior was associated with controlled release characteristics and non-cytotoxic extract responses at intermediate hydrogel loading. Consequently, the 30 wt.% composite represents a promising material combination for implantable medical devices, balancing swelling performance, structural stability, and favorable in vitro cell viability under the investigated extraction conditions.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany",
    "Institute for Multiphase Processes (IMP), Leibniz University Hannover, An der Universität 1, 30823 Garbsen, Germany",
    "Institute for Polymer Sciences, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Upper Austria, Austria",
    "Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Nikolai-Fuchs-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany",
    "Unavera Chemlab, Am Ländbach 20, 82481 Mittenwald, Germany"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Esma Dosdoğru"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Adrian Onken",
      "orcid": "0009-0006-5124-6176"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Sabine Hild",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-6099-1924"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Patricia Torgau"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "David Schäffl"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Jan Sündermann"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Marc Müller",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-5507-247X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Johannes Aucktor"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Hasso v. Zychlinski"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Theodor Doll"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/afjp1waa6xqc0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/polym18192437",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13667694/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "afjp1waa6xqc0",
  "issns": [
    "2073-4360"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13667694",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1313|Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220844048",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13667694/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13667694",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/afjp1waa6xqc0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13667694",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13667694"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:44Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/polym18192437",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/19/2437"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "issn:2073-4360",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Qualification of a Swellable Hydrogel–Silicone Bimorph for Implantable Actuation",
  "title_text": "Qualification of a Swellable Hydrogel–Silicone Bimorph for Implantable Actuation",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:44Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/afjp1waa6xqc0",
  "venue": "Polymers",
  "versions": []
}