Microrobotics and MEMS-based fabrication techniques for scaffold-based tissue engineering

Scaffold based tissue engineering strategies use cells, biomolecules and a scaffold to promote the repair and regeneration of tissues. Although scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches are being actively developed, most are still experimental, and it is not yet clear what defines an ideal scaffold/cell construct. Solid free form fabrication (SFF) techniques can precisely control matrix architecture (size, shape, interconnectivity, branching, geometry and orientation). The SFF methods enable the fabrication of scaffolds with various designs and material compositions, thus providing a control of mechanical properties, biological effects and degradation kinetics. This paper reviews the application of micro-robotics and MEMS-based fabrication techniques for scaffold design and fabrication. It also presents a novel robotic technique to fabricate scaffold/cell constructs for tissue engineering by the assembly of microscopic building blocks.     

Determination of oxalate in beer by zone electrophoresis on a chip with conductivity detection

The use of a poly(methylmethacrylate) capillary electrophoresis chip, provided with a high sample load capacity separation system (a 8500 nL separation channel combined with a 500 nL sample injection channel) and a pair of on‐chip conductivity detectors, for zone electrophoresis (ZE) determination of oxalate in beer was studied. Hydrodynamic and electroosmotic flows of the solution in the separation compartment of the chip were suppressed and electrophoresis was a dominant transport process in the separations performed on the chip. A low pH of the carrier electrolyte (3.8), implemented by aspartic acid and bis‐tris propane, provided an adequate selectivity in the separation of oxalate from anionic beer constituents and, at the same time, also a sufficient sensitivity in its conductivity detection. Under our working conditions, this anion could be detected at a 0.5 μmol/L concentration also in samples containing chloride (a major anionic constituent of beer) at a 1800 higher concentration. Such a favorable analyte/matrix concentration ratio made possible accurate and reproducible [typically, 2–5% relative standard deviation (RSD) values of the peak areas of the analyte in dependence on its concentration in the sample] determination of oxalate in 500 nL volumes of 20–50‐fold diluted beer samples. Short analysis times (about 200 s), minimum sample preparation, and reproducible migration times of this analyte (0.5–1.0% RSD values) were characteristic for ZE on the chip.     

Structural transformation from shish‐kebab crystals to micro‐fibrils through hot stretching process of gel‐spun ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fibers with high concentration solution

Structural evolution of gel‐spun ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fibers with high concentration solution via hot stretching process was investigated by in situ small‐angle X‐ray scattering, in situ wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. With the increase of stretching strain, the long period continuously increases at relative lower stretching temperature, while it first increases and then decreases rapidly at relative higher stretching temperature. The kebab thickness almost keeps constant during the whole hot‐stretching process and the kebab diameter continually decreases for all stretching temperatures. Moreover, the length of shish decreases slightly and the shish quantity increases although there is almost no change in the diameter of shish crystals during the hot stretching process. The degree of crystal orientation at different temperatures is as high as above 0.9 during the whole stretching process. These results indicate that the shish‐kebab crystals in ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fibers can transform continuously into the micro‐fibril structure composed mostly of shish crystals through the hot stretching process. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 225–238     

Micro‐/Nanostructured Multicomponent Molecular Materials: Design,Assembly, and Functionality

Molecule‐based micro‐/nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention because their properties can vary greatly from the corresponding macro‐sized bulk systems. Recently, the construction of multicomponent molecular solids based on crystal engineering principles has emerged as a promising alternative way to develop micro‐/nanomaterials. Unlike single‐component materials, the resulting multicomponent systems offer the advantages of tunable composition, and adjustable molecular arrangement, and intermolecular interactions within their solid states. The study of these materials also supplies insight into how the crystal structure, molecular components, and micro‐/nanoscale effects can influence the performance of molecular materials. In this review, we describe recent advances and current directions in the assembly and applications of crystalline multicomponent micro‐/nanostructures. Firstly, the design strategies for multicomponent systems based on molecular recognition and crystal engineering principles are introduced. Attention is then focused on the methods of fabrication of low‐dimensional multicomponent micro‐/nanostructures. Their new applications are also outlined. Finally, we briefly discuss perspectives for the further development of these molecular crystalline micro‐/nanomaterials.     

High efficiency of Mn–Ce‐modified TiO2 catalysts for the low‐temperature oxidation of Hg0 under a reducing atmosphere

Manganese‐ and cerium oxide‐modified titania catalysts were prepared by the deposition precipitation for the removal of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) from simulated yellow phosphorus off‐gas at low temperature. In addition, these catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field‐emission scanning electron microscope to determine the surface morphology of the obtained compounds and explore their formation mechanism. The results revealed that a Mn–Ce loading and reaction temperature of 10% and 150 °C, respectively, as well as a Mn/Ce molar ratio of 2:1, led to an optimal efficiency for the oxidation of elemental mercury. Furthermore, the effects of flue gas components were investigated. The presence of O₂ clearly promoted the oxidation of Hg⁰. A CO atmosphere did not affect the Hg⁰ oxidation, when compared with N₂, whereas the presence of H₂S and water vapor inhibited the oxidation process. Furthermore, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of Hg 4f revealed that the elemental mercury adsorbed by the catalyst is present as HgO. Finally, the Hg⁰ catalytic oxidation mechanism was discussed on the basis of the experimental results and characterization analysis.     

Solvation Dynamics of a Radical Ion Pair in Micro‐Heterogeneous Binary Solvents: A Semi‐Quantitative Study Utilizing MARY Line‐Broadening Experiments

This work aims at elucidating the mechanism of solvation of a radical ion pair (RIP) in a micro‐heterogeneous binary solvent mixture using magnetically affected reaction yield (MARY) spectroscopy. For the exciplex‐forming 9,10‐dimethylanthracene/N,N‐dimethylaniline system a comparative, composition‐dependent MARY line‐broadening study is undertaken in a heterogeneous (toluene/dimethylsulfoxide) and a quasi‐homogenous (propyl acetate/butyronitrile) solvent mixture. The half‐saturation field extrapolated to zero‐quencher concentration, B_1/2, and the self‐exchange rate constants are analyzed in the light of solvent dynamical properties of the mixtures and a dielectric continuum solvation model. The dependence of B_1/2 on the solvent composition is explained by cluster formation giving rise to shortened RIP lifetimes. The results are in qualitative agreement with the continuum solvation model suggesting that it could serve as a theoretical basis for quantitative modeling.     

Microsensor Chip Integrated with Gold Nanoparticles‐Modified Ultramicroelectrode Array for Improved Electroanalytical Measurement of Copper Ions

This paper presents a microsensor chip integrated with a gold nanoparticles‐modified ultramicroelectrode array (UMEA) as the working electrode for the detection of copper ions in water. The microsensor chip was fabricated with Micro‐Electromechanical System technique. Gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited onto the surface of UMEA at a constant potential of ?0.3 V. The ratio d/R_b of interelectrode spacing (d) over the individual electrode’s radius (R_b) was investigated to improve the electrochemical performance. The UMEA with a d/R_b of 20 showed the best hemispherical diffusion mode, resulted in fast response time and high current response. The gold nanoparticles increased the active surface area of UMEA by not changing the geometries of UMEA, and the current response was increased further. Incorporating the optimized characteristic of UMEA and gold nanoparticles, the microsensor showed a good linear range from 0.5 to 200 µg L^?1 of copper ions in the acetate buffer solutions with the method of square wave stripping voltammetry. Compared with the gold nanoparticles‐modified disk electrode, the gold nanoparticles‐modified UMEA showed higher sensitivity (0.024 µA mm^?2 µg^?1 L) and lower limit of detection (0.2 µg L^?1). Water samples from river water and tap water were analyzed by the microsensor chip with recovery ranging from 100.7 % to 107.8 %.     

高表面能晶面裸露的金属氧化物微纳米晶体的可控合成

表面结构是影响固体材料物理和化学性质的重要因素,由于高表面能的晶面上存在更多的表面悬挂键等,高表面能晶面裸露的微纳米晶体一般表现出很好的物理和化学活性．近年来,科研工作者针对高能面微纳米晶体材料的制备及性能调控进行了大量的研究工作并取得了一定的进展．本文重点讨论了高能面裸露的金属氧化物半导体微纳米晶体的合成制备方法．主要以本课题组近年在该领域的研究为例,分别从晶体生长过程中的静电作用法、“帽”式试剂保护法、过饱和度调控法、动力学调控法及选择性化学刻蚀法等几个方面对高表面能晶面裸露的金属氧化物微纳米晶体的制备进行了系统的总结．