Supporting Information
Gel Aliquot Production: The aliquots used for patterning were produced manually by
shredding a macro-scale gel over a glass slide using a razor. Individual gel aliquots were
then selected under a microscope using the mechanical micromanipulators based upon gel
size (targeting ~50 µm pieces). The gels varied in length (compare FIG S1 and FIGS3), but
were chosen to not vary significantly in radius (plane parallel to patterning surface).
Page S1
Figure S1. Micrograph of the composite gel being manipulated by mechanical
microtweezers. The tweezers allow for patterning size selection through grasping different
sizes of hydrogel; in addition, the tweezers give the user precise spatiotemporal control
over the patterning.
Page S2
Figure S2. Micrograph depicting the composite gel. The spores tended to cluster near the
surface of the gel due to convective forces present during synthesis.
Page S3
Figure S3. Micrograph showing volumetric changes in the FITC-loaded composite gel due
to increase in humidity.
Page S4
Figure S4.
Model showing the mechanism by which spores can attenuate the
concentration lowering effects over mid-to-high humidity range compared to a hydrogel
control.
Page S5