Sensitized gelatin as a versatile biomaterial with tailored mechanical and optical properties

Abstract We have found that gelatin doped with tot’hema (medication used for curing anemia) andeosin becomes elastic, while retaining good optical properties. The mechanical properties oftot’hema–eosin-sensitized gelatin films (TESG) have been investigated for variousconcentrations of tot’hema (ranging from 5 to 30% v/v). TESG specimens were preparedaccording to the ASTM standards for elastic materials. Tensile strength, strain at break andYoung’s modulus were measured. The results show that the extensibility of TESG filmincreases with increasing tot’hema concentration, while the Young’s modulus and stress atbreak exponentially decrease. Mechanical properties can be tailored to suit various biomedicalapplications such as blood vessels, human lens capsules and biosensors based on microlenses.Tunable (strain responsive) TESG microlenses were produced and a mechanical model ofblood vessels was prepared.PACS numbers: 42.70.Jk, 81.40.Jj, 87.85.J−, 87.85.fk(Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)