See Nate Richbourg’s full publication history on Google Scholar [LINK].

A schematic representing the steps in the swollen polymer network model from structural parameters through identity parameters and fundamental theories to predicting physical properties
Schematic representing the forward, sideways, and backward uses of hydrogel structure-property modeling

The Swollen Polymer Network Model of Hydrogel Design: Opportunities in Limitations

NR Richbourg. Journal of Polymer Science, 2026

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The intersecting physical mechanisms that regulate cell viability in 3D synthetic hydrogels

NR Richbourg, A Rampal, A Lorenzana, JF Flechas-Beltran, SR Peyton. Advanced Materials., 2026

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ToC Figure for Intersecting Physical Mechanisms manuscript. Compares a 2.5D culture system and a 3D cell encapsulation culture system
Schematic of the hydrogel design cycle, including "Define application and criteria," "Select base polymer," "Design network structure," "Incorporate modular properties," and "Evaluate and iterate."

Model-based modular hydrogel design

NR Richbourg, ME Wechsler, JJ Rodriguez-Cruz, NA Peppas. Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 2024.

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Structurally decoupled stiffness and solute transport in multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels

NR Richbourg, NA Peppas. Biomaterials., 2023

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Schematic of the four structural parameters and how they are predicted by the Swollen Polymer Network model to affect swelling and stiffness
Crystal lattice structure schematic for how junction functionalities of 4, 6, and 8-arm junctions affect solute diffusivity

Solute diffusion and partitioning in multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels

NR Richbourg, NA Peppas. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2023.

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Cross-evaluation of stiffness measurement methods for hydrogels

NR Richbourg, MK Rausch, NA Peppas. Polymer., 2022.

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Schematic of how five measurement methods and prediction each yield a shear modulus or stiffness value
General observed trends relating hydrogel and solute size scaling to the diffusivity of solutes in hydrogels

High-throughput FRAP analysis of solute diffusion in hydrogels

NR Richbourg, NA Peppas. Macromolecules, 2021.

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Solute transport dependence on 3D geometry of hydrogel networks

NR Richbourg, A Ravikumar, NA Peppas. Macromol. Chem. Phys., 2021.

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Schematic describing the 2D and 3D relationships between mesh size and mesh radius
Four graphs relating hydrogel swelling characteristics

Precise control of synthetic hydrogel network structure via linear, independent synthesis-swelling relationships

NR Richbourg, M Wancura, AE Gilchrist, S Toubbeh, BAC Harley, E Cosgriff-Hernandez, NA Peppas. Sci. Adv., 2021.

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The swollen polymer network hypothesis: Quantitative models of hydrogel swelling, mechanics, and solute transport.

NR Richbourg, NA Peppas. Prog. Poly. Sci., 2020.

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Schematic representation of the four structural parameters
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