Patterning nanoparticles in a three-dimensional matrix using an electric-field-assisted gel transferring technique |
| |
Authors: | Dai Xiaoshu Knupp Sarah A Xu Qiaobing |
| |
Institution: | Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States. |
| |
Abstract: | In this paper, we describe an electric-field-assisted gel transferring technique for patterning on two- and three-dimensional media. The transfer process starts with the preparation of a block of agarose gel doped with charged nanoparticles or molecules on top of a screen mask with desired patterns. This gel/mask construct is then brought into contact with the appropriate receiving medium, such as a polymer membrane or a piece of flat hydrogel. An electric field is applied to transfer the doped charged nanoparticles or molecules into the receiving medium with a pattern defined by the screen mask. This printing method is rapid and convenient, the results are reproducible, and the process can be done without using expensive micro/nanofabrication facilities. The capability to pattern structures such as arrays of nanoparticles into three-dimensional hydrogels may find applications for positioning cell signaling molecules to control cell growth and migration. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|