Symbol Definition
α Gel elasticity-associated coefficient (dimensionless)
T Temperature (K)
Nx Degree of polymerization between crosslinks in a network (dimensionless). 0 < Nx.
V/Vi Gel volume ratio with reference to the initially (fully) swollen state (dimensionless). For deswelling (shrinking), 0 < V/Vi ≤ 1.
rpolym Doping ratio of thermoresponsive pNIPAM to tissue-derived biopolymer in a gel (dimensionless). 0 < rpolym = VNIPA/Vbio ≤ 1.