High-strength, ultra-thin and fiber-reinforced pHEMA artificial skin.

Membranes of pHEMA-based composites were manufactured by adding various kinds of weaved and knitted fabrics and fibers into a deionized water solution of HEMA monomer, EGDMA cross-linker and BIE initiator, and followed by polymerization under ultraviolet radiation. By varying the amount of initial water addition (IWA), the dimensional change of pHEMA matrix from the newly fabricated state to the eventually swollen state could be adjusted to reduce the swellability mismatch with the fabrics and the possibility of the swollen membranes becoming folded and curled was avoided. Mechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced pHEMA composites, including yielding strength, maximum strength, Young's modulus and elongation at break, are improved evidently depending on the mechanical characteristics of additives applied. The involvement of fabrics and fibers in the soft pHEMA matrix also provides an alternative of making the ultra-thin membranes to overcome the problem of easily being torn during handling. In addition, some of these membranes also exhibit an improvement in water transmission rate.