Executive Summary : | The project is driven by the growing interest in soft, flexible healthcare devices, particularly for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and wearable electronics, which offer significant benefits in digital healthcare and early diagnosis. MIS involves the direct insertion of elongated surgical instruments, whether rigid or flexible, through small incisions or natural orifices to access specific areas of the body while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. Flexible endoscopes, equipped with high-resolution cameras and light sources, are commonly used to visualize the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract in MIS procedures. However, the materials currently employed in these devices, such as soft elastomers, rigid materials, and plastics, can lead to tissue deformation, perforation, internal bleeding, and severe damage, causing discomfort and pain for patients. To overcome these challenges, research in soft robotics aims to integrate the precise control of rigid robotics, the manoeuvrability of flexible instruments, and the safety provided by soft materials. Recently, hydrogels have emerged as promising alternatives due to their softness, biocompatibility, conformability, and long-term wearability without causing significant harm. However, there are still unresolved interdisciplinary challenges in the field, including mechanical strength, interfacial adhesion, skin compatibility, and electrical conductivity. In this project, our objective is to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of hollow and hollow-composite hydrogel slender tubes and thin hydrogel membranes. This research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of these materials for the development of flexible biomedical devices. Experimental tests, such as bending, fatigue, uniaxial and biaxial tensile, and pull-off experiments, will be conducted to assess properties such as Young's modulus, fatigue and fracture strength of the hydrogel membranes. This knowledge will aid in the creation of flexible devices that interact effectively with the human body. Additionally, studying the swelling and drying characteristics of hydrogels will enable the design of devices capable of withstanding extreme wet and dry environmental conditions. These findings will advance the development of flexible and biocompatible diagnostic devices, including endoscopy tools, by reducing the risk of internal damage during procedures. Overall, this proposed project addresses the need for improved mechanical and physical characterisation of hollow and hollow-composite hydrogels, with the ultimate goal of advancing the field of flexible biomedical devices and enhancing the effectiveness and safety of MIS procedures. |