--- res: bibo_abstract: - In this work, we aimed at improved viability and growth of the microalga *Chlamydomonas reinhardtii* in transparent silica hydrogels based on low-ethanol, low-sodium and low-propylamine synthesis. Investigation into replacement of conventional base KOH by buffers dipotassium phosphate and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane along with increased precursor concentrations yielded an aqueous synthesis route which provided a gelation within 10 min, absorptions below 0.1 and elastic moduli of 0.04-4.23 kPa. The abrasion resistance enhanced by 41 % compared to calcium alginate hydrogels and increased to 70-85 % residual material on addition of chitosan. Entrapment of microalgae in low-sodium and low-propylamine silica hydrogels maintained the PSII quantum yield above 0.3 and growth rates of 0.23 ± 0.01 d-1, similarly to cells entrapped in calcium alginate. These promising results pave the way for the entrapment of sensitive, photosynthetically active and growing cells for in robust biotechnological applications.@eng bibo_authorlist: - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Sarah Vanessa foaf_name: Homburg, Sarah Vanessa foaf_surname: Homburg foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=216742 - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Deepak foaf_name: Venkanna, Deepak foaf_surname: Venkanna - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Konstantin foaf_name: Kraushaar, Konstantin foaf_surname: Kraushaar - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Olaf foaf_name: Kruse, Olaf foaf_surname: Kruse - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Edwin foaf_name: Kroke, Edwin foaf_surname: Kroke - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Anant V. foaf_name: Patel, Anant foaf_surname: Patel foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=201870 orcid: 0000-0003-1771-407X bibo_doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.09.075 bibo_volume: 173 dct_date: 2018^xs_gYear dct_isPartOf: - http://id.crossref.org/issn/0927-7765 dct_publisher: Elsevier BV@ dct_title: Entrapment and growth of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in biocompatible silica hydrogels@ ...