25Scaffold Processing Technologies for Tailored Cell Interactions
or featuring at higher size scales. At the molecular level, hydrogel behavior is inu-
enced by interactions between functional groups on its chains and the surrounding
water molecules, affecting, for example, the conformations of the chain between
cross-links. Chain lengths between network junctions also affect behavior, particu-
larly mechanically, as would particulate reinforcement or the existence of interpen-
etrating networks of different polymers. Depending on the processing methods, gels
may incorporate features such as pores, channels, surface texturing, or even bespoke
3D structuring. The nal functionality of a hydrogel scaffold will depend, therefore,
not only on the ...