Development of Fiber-Reinforced Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

Author

• Valeria Ayala, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

8-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Mohammad R. Islam

Second Advisor

Claudia C. Biguetti

Third Advisor

Dumitru I. Caruntu

Abstract

Electrospun nanofiber mats have significant potential for biomedical applications due to their high surface area, mechanical properties, and structural similarity to the extracellular matrix. However, standalone nanofiber networks often exhibit limited functionality for cellular proliferation and are prone to dissolution in aqueous environments. In contrast, hydrogel-based biomaterials can efficiently support cellular activity due to their hydrated composition but generally lack tissue-like mechanical strength. This study investigates the development of fiber-reinforced hydrogels to design composite biomaterials with synergistic properties for biomedical applications. Electrospun nanofiber mats consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were fabricated by electrospinning and subsequently heat-treated to induce crosslinking and improve water stability. The stacked layers of nanofiber mats were then integrated into a PVA-based hydrogel matrix to form a composite biomaterial. The microstructure of the biomaterials was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical properties were evaluated by uniaxial tensile testing. The biocompatibility of the fiber-reinforced hydrogels was evaluated using in vivo animal experiments and histological analysis. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the design of nanofiber-based hydrogel composites for biomedical applications. Future work will focus on incorporating drug components into the biomaterials and on evaluating drug-delivery performance.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Valeria Ayala. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3409025107

Recommended Citation

Ayala, V. (2026). Development of Fiber-Reinforced Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/2056