where π e and π g correspond to the electrostatic and the gel network contributions. At equilibrium, the pressure inside the microgel should match that one of the bulk, resulting in π = 0. The latter is equivalent to equate the chemical potential of the solvent inside and outside of the microgel, ensuring there is no net transfer of solvent into or out of the gel. This condition leads to a close interconnection between thermodynamic and mechanical equilibrium.