Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Amino Acid Hydrogels Fabricated into Tissue Engineering Scaffolds by Colloidal Gas Aphron Technology |
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| Authors: | Elizabeth Donaldson Janet Cuy Prabha Nair Buddy Ratner |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA;2. Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA;3. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute For Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum 695012 India |
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| Abstract: | A new class of hydrogels made from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and amino acid was formed into porous tissue engineering scaffolds by the colloidal gas aphron (CGA) method. CGA microfoams are formed using high speed stirring to generate uniform, micrometer scale bubbles. CGAs offer several advantages over conventional scaffold fabrication techniques including room temperature processing, aqueous conditions and utilization of air bubbles to create uniform pores. This technique eliminates the need for toxic solvents and salt templates. In addition, the novel poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels are inherently strong, eliminating the need for crosslinkers. |
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| Keywords: | aphron foams hydrogel poly(vinyl alcohol) tissue engineered scaffold |
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