A new light triggered approach to develop a micro porous tough hydrogel

A porous tough hydrogel (alginate–polyacrylamide) is successfully synthesized using a photo-gelling polymer as a templating agent. Unlike current porous hydrogels, we present a useful pore-enhancing strategy without sacrificing the mechanical properties of the parent matrix. These porous tough hydrogels, as 3D cell culture scaffolds, can mimic the extracellular matrix and allow maximum nutrient exchange.