Diffusion of Oxygen into a Hydrogel

by Justin Stottlemyer

Submitted : Spring 2010

The purpose of this project is to determine the maximum allowable thickness of a hydrogel that will still provide optimal oxygen flow to cartilage cells suspended within this hydrogel. Oxygen introduced to the surface of the gel disperses as it travels through the thickness of the gel and cannot drop below a certain concentration if the cells are to survive. A mathematical method involving the use of integral calculus was used to find this optimum thickness. It was determined that the thickness of the hydrogel between the midpoint and outer edge cannot exceed 850 microns if enough oxygen to sustain the cells is to reach the center of the hydrogel.

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