Development of Smart Albumin-Based Hydrogel with AFM and QCM characterization of mechanical properties

This project focuses on addressing the challenges of infected burn wounds, which hinder healing and cause chronic pain, by developing a pH-responsive albumin hydrogel for targeted drug delivery. Leveraging the alkaline pH shift in infected wounds, the hydrogel swells to release therapeutic agents, offering protection and precise treatment. Advanced characterization methods, such as Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) for real-time swelling and degradation analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for evaluating mechanical properties, guide the design process. The goal is to create a sprayable, thin-film hydrogel with robust mechanical stability and controlled drug release. This innovative approach aims to improve infected burn wound treatment by combining biocompatibility, precision, and ease of use.