Direct-writing organic three-dimensional nanofibrous structure

Direct-writing technology based on Near-Field Electrospinning (NFES) was used to fabricate an organic three-dimensional nanofibrous circle on the patterned silicon substrate. In NFES, straight jet without splitting and chaotic motion was utilized to direct-write orderly nanofiber. When the collector movement speed was lower than electrospinning rate, the relaxed nanofiber would be lead into the pendulum motion by the electrical field force and Coulomb repulsion force from the residual charges on the collector. When the relative air humidity is lower than 35%, individual nanofiber with larger elastic resistance would reveal a good self-assembly performance. Owing to the guidance of the electric field force at the edge of the micro-pattern, a nanofiber was deposited layer by layer to format a 3D nanofibrous circle on the top surface of the micro-pattern. The dimension scale of 3D nanofibrous circle was smaller than 30 μm. With the help of a microscope, a 3D nanofibrous circle can be deposited precisely on the strip micro-pattern with width of 4 μm. Furthermore, a 3D nanofibrous circle in different shapes can be obtained by using special micro-patterns. This organic three-dimensional nanofibrous circle has created a new aspect for the fabrication of organic micro/nanosystems.     

A novel technique for scaffold fabrication: SLUP (salt leaching using powder)

In this study, we proposed a novel salt-leaching method using PCL and NaCl powders, known as the SLUP (salt leaching using powder) technique, which has several advantages: this technique does not require solvent, pressure, or unnecessary expensive devices. First, PCL powder (100–180 μm size) and NaCl powder (350–400 μm size) were prepared. Second, the PCL and NaCl powders were mixed at a certain ratio, and then the mixed powder was poured into a mold. Afterward, the mold was heated to melt the PCL powder in an oven at 80 °C for 15 min. Subsequently, after the PCL/NaCl mixture was separated from the mold, the PCL/NaCl mixture was soaked in D.I. water for 24 h to leach out the NaCl particles. Consequently, the remaining PCL structure was porous and could be used as a scaffold. To analyze the compressive modulus of the fabricated scaffold, a uniaxial compression test was performed using a UTM (universal testing machine), and the surface characteristics of the scaffold were observed using an SEM (scanning electron microscope). Additionally, cell-culture experiments were performed using hMSCs (human mesenchymal stem cells), and the cell-culture characteristics were assessed and compared with the characteristics from a conventional salt-leaching scaffold.     

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of highly active nanoflower-like CoMoS4 electrocatalyst for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions

Rapid technological development requires sustainable, pure, and clean energy systems, such as hydrogen energy. It is difficult to fabricate efficient, highly active, and inexpensive electrocatalysts for the overall water splitting reaction: the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The present research work deals with a simple hydrothermal synthesis route assisted with ultrasound that was used to fabricate a 3D nanoflower-like porous CoMoS₄ electrocatalyst. A symmetric electrolyzer cell was fabricated using a CoMoS₄ electrode as both the anode and cathode, with a cell voltage of 1.51 V, to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm². Low overpotentials were observed for the CoMoS₄ electrode (250 mV for OER and 141 mV for HER) at a current density of 10 mA/cm².     

Superhydrophobic properties of a hierarchical structure using a silicon micro-tip array decorated with ZnO nanowires

In this study, wetting properties of a hierarchical structure using a silicon micro-tip array covered with ZnO nanowire are characterized, and compared with hierarchical structures composed of micro-pillars for micro-scale roughness. The superhydrophobicity of a surface can be efficiently enhanced by using a micro-tip array, compared with a micro-pillar structure, because a micro-tip structure with high aspect ratio and small apex radius can significantly reduce fractions of liquid droplet area in contact, maintaining the droplet in the regime of the Cassie state. The micro-tip array was simply fabricated by combining anisotropic and isotropic silicon etching processes with one-step photolithography and a single etch mask. The measured height and aspect ratio of the fabricated micro-tip was around 40 μm and 8, respectively, when the center-to-center distance between micro-tips was 30 μm. The maximum CA on the hierarchical surface using the micro-tip array was measured to be 165.0 ± 2.3° with a period of 30 μm, while the hierarchical surface using the micro-pillar array showed the maximum CA of 158.6 ± 1.1° with 20 μm-diameter and 70 μm-gap between micro-pillars. The smallest CAH on the hierarchical micro-tip array was measured to be 5.0 ± 0.3° for the center-to-center distance between micro-tips of 30 μm.     

Electrohydrodynamic direct-writing of three-dimensional multi-loop nanofibrous coils

This paper studies the whipping deposition behavior of straight charged jets of Near-Field Electrospinning. A micro 3D structure of multi-loop nanofibrous coil was printed on a silicon collector. The whipping motion resulted from Coulomb force caused the charged jet to deposit and form a coiled structure. With the guidance of deposited nanofiber, the charged jet deposited layer by layer to build up a 3D nanofibrous coiled structure with 3–50 loops. The diameter of the coiled structure ranged from 4 to 60 μm. The number of loops decreased with the increase of collector motion speed, due to shorter post-deposition relaxing time. With higher stress inside the charged jet, PEO solution of higher concentration led to fewer loops but larger diameter of the coil. This work provides a promising method to study the control technology of charged jet printing, which may push forward the development of micro 3D inkjet printing technology.     

Antifungal effects of 3D scaffold type gelatin/Ag nanoparticles biocomposite prepared by solution plasma processing

The 3D scaffold type biocomposites of gelatin/silver nanoparticles were prepared through the silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) formation in gelatin solution using solution plasma process (SPP) and their antifungal activity was evaluated. The mixture of 3% gelatin solution and silver precursor (AgNO₃; 1–10 mM) was subject to discharge at high voltage (1600 V) under the controlled conditions to form the suspension of Ag NPs in the gelatin matrix. The freeze-drying process of lyophilization was employed to fabricate the 3D scaffold type biocomposite of gelatin/Ag NPs from the suspension. The water-insoluble property was improved by cross-linking using UV-irradiation (λ = 254 nm for 15 min). The physical and chemical characteristics of the biocomposite were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy, EDS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The results indicated that the 3D scaffold biocomposite of gelatin/Ag NPs had spherical shape with approximately 11–12 nm of diameter. The antifungal activity analysis suggested that the biocomposite with Ag NPs could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans as well as that of hyphae and spores of Aspergillus parasiticus significantly. MIC of the biocomposite for C. albicans and A. parasiticus was determined as 80 μg/ml and 240 μg/ml of Ag NPs, respectively. The growth inhibition of 92.8% was observed in the biocomposite with 10 mM Ag against C. albicans.     

Influence of YSZ electrolyte thickness on the characteristics of plasma-sprayed cermet supported tubular SOFC

Novel Ni–Al₂O₃ cermet-supported tubular SOFC cell was fabricated by thermal spraying. Flame-sprayed Al₂O₃–Ni cermet coating played dual roles of a support tube and an anode current collector. Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ (YSZ) electrolyte was deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) to aim at reducing manufacturing cost. The gas tightness of APS YSZ coating was achieved by post-densification process. The influence of YSZ coating thickness on the performance of SOFC test cell was investigated in order to optimize YSZ thickness in terms of open circuit voltage of the cell and YSZ ohmic loss. It was found that the reduction of YSZ thickness from 100 μm to 40 μm led to the increase of the maximum output power density from 0.47 W/cm² to 0.76 W/cm² at 1000 °C. Using an APS 4.5YSZ coating of about 40 μm as the electrolyte, the test cell presented a maximum power output density of over 0.88 W/cm² at 1030 °C. The results indicate that SOFCs with thin YSZ electrolyte require more effective cathode and anode to improve performance.     

超声增强藻酸钙凝胶支架材料孔隙率的研究

藻酸钙凝胶具有三维立体多孔结构, 能为细胞生长提供充分的附着空间, 且具有良好的生物相容性和一定的机械强度, 是一种理想的细胞支架材料. 本文研究了藻酸钙三维支架材料的力学特性与氯化钙/藻酸钠的配比的关系, 并提出采用低强度脉冲超声处理藻酸钙凝胶、基于超声空化效应增强藻酸钙凝胶孔隙率的新方法. 实验采用交联合成方法制备藻酸钙凝胶支架材料, 测量力学特性、孔洞的联通性与孔隙率, 并利用绿色荧光蛋白的表达评价细胞的增殖能力. 结果表明, 当氯化钙/藻酸钠的配比为3:5时, 凝胶的机械强度和弹性较好, 力学性能稳定, 为最佳配比参数. 采用声压0.055 MPa的脉冲超声作用20 min, 可以有效提高凝胶支架的孔隙率; 且细胞在该支架中生长状态良好, 呈现团簇状生长趋势.     

Modification of erbium photoluminescence excitation spectra for the emission wavelength 1.54 μm in mesoscopic structures

Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra for the emission wavelength 1.54 μm were studied for erbium-doped xerogels embedded in artificial opals and porous anodic alumina films. Opals were chosen with photonic stop-band in green spectral range, where excitation of 1.54 μm occurs most efficiently. In comparison to the structure erbium-doped titania xerogel/porous anodic alumina/silicon the photoluminescence excitation spectra for 1.54 μm emission wavelength significantly changes for the same xerogels embedded in artificial opals. Enhancement of erbium-related 1.54 μm emission was observed from the structure Fe₂O₃ xerogel/porous anodic alumina fabricated on silicon, having some incompletely anodized aluminium, under excitation with either the lasing source at 532 nm or xenon lamp. Evident difference in PLE spectra for erbium doped TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ xerogels in porous anodic alumina is observed.     

Preparation of Polycaprolactone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds by Improved Solvent Casting/Particulate Leaching Method

The classic solvent casting/particulate leaching method to fabricate PCL scaffolds was improved by using a centrifugal technology, a direct bonding process in preparing salt matrices and a technology of vacuum treatment under heating in the desolvation process. Series operations of preshaping, centrifuging, casting and desolvating were employed during the scaffold's manufacture. The scaffold's properties were characterized including micro‐structures, pore dimensions, porosity and hydrophilicity. The results show that centrifugal technology can improve the pore uniformity of scaffolds. In the bonding process, well‐interconnected porous structures were formed if water content was between 2～7%. The distribution of pore dimensions was from 10 to 80 μm, and the porosities were about 89%. Generally, the porosities formed by vacuum treatment at high temperature are greater than those formed by vacuum treatment at ambient temperature in the desolvation process. The fabricated porous PCL scaffolds with good elasticity and desired thickness could be a good choice for application in soft tissue engineering.     

Fabrication of desired three-dimensional structures by holographic assembly technique

We demonstrate a novel technique to fabricate desired three-dimensional (3D) periodic structures by holographically assembling multiple one-dimensional (1D) or multiple two-dimensional (2D) structures. Thanks to the high-absorption effect of the used material, we fabricated for each time, by employing a two-beam interference technique, a 1D or a 2D structure with very limited film thickness. By using the same sample and repeating the same fabrication process, i.e., (i) spin coating, (ii) exposure, and (iii) post-exposure bake, we created, layer-by-layer, a 3D structure as desired, without the limitation of the number of layers. This technique allows rapid fabrication of very large and thick 3D photonic crystal template with variable period, flexible design, low cost, and possible introduction of arbitrary defects inside a 3D structure.     

EVA-enhanced embedding medium for histological analysis of 3D porous scaffold material

When sectioning a 3D porous scaffold made of a soft elastomeric material embedded in paraffin medium, it is not easy to obtain a section because of the different mechanical properties of the paraffin and tissue/scaffold. We describe a new embedding material for histological analysis of various biomaterials that is composed of paraffin and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin (0, 3, 7, and 13 wt.%). 3D porous poly(l-lactide--caprolactone) (PLCL) and chitosan scaffolds were fabricated to test the sectioning efficiency of the paraffin/EVA embedding material. The new embedding material was characterized by rheological analysis and solvent solubility testing in xylene and n-hexane. The hydrophilicity of the new material was assessed by contact angle measurement and its surface roughness was measured using AFM analysis. The staining efficiency of sections embedded in a paraffin/EVA mixture was determined by eosin staining of the chitosan scaffold and chitosan/collagen hybrid scaffold using a fluorescently labeled collagen. Section roughness decreased with increasing EVA content. The softening temperature of the paraffin/EVA mixture was similar to that of paraffin (50–60 °C by rheometer). The paraffin/EVA mixture dissolved completely in xylene after 30 min at 50 °C, and after 30 min in n-hexane at 60 °C. Therefore, the new embedding medium can be used for histological analysis of various biomaterials and natural tissues.     

Preparation of Aligned Polymer Micro/Nanofibres by Electrospinning

Polymer micro/nanofibres are prepared by typical and modified methods of electrospinning. The morphologies and microstructures of the electrospun micro/nanofibres are characterized by a scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The micro/nanofibres prepared by the typical electrospinning are usually collected in the form of nonwoven mats lacking of structural orientation, However, by modifying collector（s） of the electrospinning setup, the resulting polymer fibres show aligned structures to some extent. We analyse all the forces that the fibres experienced during electrospinning and find that the electrostatic force originating from the splitting electric field plays a key role in the alignment of the micro/nanofibres.     

Degradation and biocompatibility of porous nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Porous scaffold containing 30 wt% nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) and 70 wt% polyurethane (PU) from castor oil was prepared by a foaming method and investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results show that n-HA particles disperse homogeneously in the PU matrix. The porous scaffold has not only macropores of 100-800 μm in size but also a lot of micropores on the walls of macropores. The porosity and compressive strength of scaffold are 80% and 271 kPa, respectively. After soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), hydrolysis and deposition partly occur on the scaffold. The biological evaluation in vitro and in vivo shows that the n-HA/PU scaffold is non-cytotoxic and degradable. The porous structure provides a good microenvironment for cell adherence, growth and proliferation. The n-HA/PU composite scaffold can be satisfied with the basic requirement for tissue engineering, and has the potential to be applied in repair and substitute of human menisci of the knee-joint and articular cartilage.     

Fabrication of micro–nanocapsules by a new electrospraying method using coaxial jets and examination of effective parameters on their production

This paper considers a new method related to the micro and nanocapsules production by using coaxial jets electrospray. The produced micro–nanocapsules were characterized on their structure, mean particles size and morphology by optical and scanning electron microscope. The effects of different operating parameters on the size of the particles were investigated. The obtained results showed the efficiency of the mentioned method in micro–nanocapsules fabrication. The average diameter of fabricated capsules was variable from 80 nm to 900 μm by adjusting different parameters of process.     

Nanoscale structures of circle - MgCl2 constructed by plasmid DNA templates

Circular nanoscale structures of inorganic salt, MgCl₂, are constructed by extended plasmid DNA pBR322 as a template on mica substrates, and these nanosized structures of 6.2±1.3 to 8.2±1.8 nm in height, and 1.35±0.18 to 2.93±0.25 μm in length are investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The chemical element components of these nanostructures are characterized by XPS. We also discuss a possible formation mechanism of these circle nanostructures.     

A size-dependent microparticle capture and release chip using concentric membrane ring barriers

We present a size-dependent microparticle separation chip where different sized slit gaps are formed around a central inlet by membrane ring barriers, concentrically arranged, and adjusted with a single pneumatic source. Previous microparticle separation methods, using multiple filters with different pore sizes, require additional structures and processes to release microparticles after they are captured in the filter. In addition, those methods often result in particle loss due to clogging of the fixed pore filters. We suggest a microparticle separation chip capable of size-dependent capture and release without the particle loss. The present separation chip has four concentrically arranged membrane rings (b₁ ∼ b₄) with a thickness of 90 μm and widths of 182 μm, 188 μm, 194 μm, and 200 μm, respectively, which form slit gaps estimated to be 11.2 μm, 9.5 μm, 7.6 μm, and 5.8 μm, respectively, at the pneumatic pressure of 80 kPa. In the experiment, we demonstrated microparticle capture and release using two different sizes of PS (polystyrene) beads (diameter = 6.51 ± 0.43 μm and 10.32 ± 0.39 μm) immersed in 0.5% BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) solution at a flow rate of 100 μl/min. At a pressure of 80 kPa, 10.32 μm and 6.51 μm-diameter beads were captured at ring barriers b₃ and b₄, respectively. Subsequently, at pressures of 65 kPa and 50 kPa, the 6.51 μm and 10.32 μm-diameter beads were respectively released from the outermost barrier (b₄). The capture and release efficiencies of 10.32 μm-diameter beads at the b₃ barrier were 91.7 ± 16.7% and 90.9 ± 8.1%, respectively. The purity of 10.32 μm-diameter beads at the b₃ barrier was 80.2 ± 6.2%. The capture and release efficiencies of 6.51 μm-diameter beads at the b₄ barrier were 100.0 ± 0.0% and 97.1 ± 4.0%, respectively. The purity of 6.51 μm-diameter beads at the b₄ barrier was 91.8 ± 2.9%. We have verified that different sizes of captured microparticles were released sequentially by gradually reducing the pressure. The present chip, having concentric membrane ring barriers which can form different sized slit gaps using a single pressure source, is simply capable of not only size-dependent microparticle capture, but also release in size order without particle clogging.     

Fabrication and magnetic properties of Ni0.50.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres by electrospinning

NiZn ferrite/polyvinylpyrrolidone composite fibres were prepared by sol–gel assisted electrospinning.Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres with a pure cubic spinel structure were obtained subsequently by calcination of the composite fibres at high temperatures.This paper investigates the thermal decomposition process,structures and morphologies of the electrospun composite fibres and the calcined Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres at different temperatures by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis,x-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy.The magnetic behaviour of the resultant nanofibres was studied by a vibrating sample magnetometer.It is found that the grain sizes of the nanofibres increase significantly and the nanofibre morphology gradually transforms from a porous structure to a necklace-like nanostructure with the increase of calcination temperature.The Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres obtained at 1000 C for 2 h are characterized by a necklace-like morphology and diameters of 100–200 nm.The saturation magnetization of the random Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres increases from 46.5 to 90.2 emu/g when the calcination temperature increases from 450 to 1000 C.The coercivity reaches a maximum value of 11.0 kA/m at a calcination temperature of 600 C.Due to the shape anisotropy,the aligned Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres exhibit an obvious magnetic anisotropy and the ease magnetizing direction is parallel to the nanofibre axis.     

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes by ultrasonic-assisted electrospray TiO2/graphene oxide on polyacrylonitrile/β-cyclodextrin nanofibrous membranes

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) composite nanofibrous membranes immobilized with nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by electrospinning and ultrasonic-assisted electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that TiO₂ and GO were more evenly dispersed on the surface and inside of the nanofibers after 45 min of ultrasonic treatment. Adding TiO₂ and GO reduced the fiber diameter; the minimum fiber diameter was 84.66 ± 40.58 nm when the mass ratio of TiO₂-to-GO was 8:2 (PAN/β-CD nanofibrous membranes was 191.10 ± 45.66 nm). Using the anionic dye methyl orange (MO) and the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) as pollutant models, the photocatalytic activity of the nanofibrous membrane under natural sunlight was evaluated. It was found that PAN/β-CD/TiO₂/GO composite nanofibrous membrane with an 8:2 mass ratio of TiO₂-to-GO exhibited the best degradation efficiency for the dyes. The degradation efficiency for MB and MO were 93.52 ± 1.83% and 90.92 ± 1.52%, respectively. Meanwhile, the PAN/β-CD/TiO₂/GO composite nanofibrous membrane also displayed good antibacterial properties and the degradation efficiency for MB and MO remained above 80% after 3 cycles. In general, the PAN/β-CD/TiO₂/GO nanofibrous membrane is eco-friendly, reusable, and has great potential for the removal of dyes from industrial wastewaters.     

Experimental study of an elliptical-core photonic bandgap fiber with thin core wall and high aspect ratio and its birefringence characteristics

We fabricate an elliptical hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber (EC-PBGF) with a core-wall thickness of 65 nm and an aspect ratio of 1.4. The core is expanded by applying positive pressure in the hollow-core region during the fiber-drawing process. Both the reduction of core-wall thickness and the increase of aspect ratio result in the enhancement of optical properties in terms of a low attenuation loss and group birefringence. The minimum loss and group birefringence of the fabricated EC-PBGF2 are measured to be 0.1 dB/m and 0.012, respectively.