by cyclic voltammetry (CV) at a scan rate of 10 mV/s from 0.8 V/-0.8
V for polyHIPE/PEDOT scaffolds of known dimensions using a VSP potentiometer
(Interface1010E, Gamry instruments) in a classical three-electrode
configuration in a degassed (Argon) PBS solution and complete cell
culture medium (DMEM + 10% FCS). Ag wire was used as a pseudoreference
(Ref.) and glassy carbon rod as a counter electrode (CE). The measured
currents were normalized by the geometric surface area of the polyHIPE/PEDOT
scaffold used as a working electrode (WE). Actuation of the polyHIPE/PEDOT
scaffolds, monitored using a CLSM in reflection mode, was induced
by alternating the potential at the scaffold from 0.8 to −0.4
V for 60 s at each oxidation and reduction step over 3 cycles in total
using a VSP potentiometer (Interface1010E, Gamry Instruments). The
confocal images were processed by using ImageJ-FIJI software. Their
intensity values were falsely colored with a “rainbow”
lookup table. With this color scheme, low-intensity pixels appeared
in blue colors and high-intensity pixels in hot colors, such as orange
and red. This approach aimed to enhance the visualization of the scaffold’s
actuation.