The elasticity of a biodegradable, metal-ion elastomer is demonstrated. (Credit: Cornell University)

Engineers have developed a new framework that makes elastomer design a modular process, allowing for the mixing and matching of different metals with a single polymer. They incorporated copper into a vascular graft because of its role in inducing angiogenesis — the process by which new blood vessels grow from existing ones.

The key breakthrough was crosslinking the polymer with copper ions using chelating ligands (molecules that tightly bind a metal ion using two or more bonds). Because one ligand can bind multiple metal ions, it can yield a wide range of mechanical properties — such as stiffness and toughness — as well as biomedical properties. They engineered six unique elastomers using one polymer and six different metals, and then made a seventh elastomer using a calcium-magnesium mix. It was the first time anyone had demonstrated a biodegradable metalion elastomer. The team also performed mechanical and biocompatibility experiments on their elastomers, testing for the materials’ stress, strain, and ability to be used with living tissue.

For more information, visit here  .