A photopolymerizing hydrogel system provides an efficient method to encapsulate cells. The present work describes the in vitro analysis of bovine and ovine chondrocytes encapsulated in a poly(ethylene oxide)‐dimethacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) semi‐interpenetrating network using a photopolymerization process. One day after encapsulation, (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐y1]‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) and light microscopy showed chondrocyte survival and a dispersed cell population composed of ovoid and elongated cells. Biochemical analysis demonstrated proteoglycan and collagen contents that increased over 2 weeks of static incubation. Cell content of the gels initially decreased and stabilized. Biomechanical analysis demonstrated the presence of a functional extracellular matrix with equilibrium moduli, dynamic stiffness, and streaming potentials that increased with time. These …