Electrospun polycaprolactone scaffolds with tailored porosity using two approaches for enhanced cellular infiltration

The impact of mat porosity of polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun fibers on the infiltration of neuron-like PC12 cells was evaluated using two different approaches. In the first method, bi-component aligned fiber mats were fabricated via the co-electrospinning of PCL with polyethylene oxide (PEO). Variation of the PEO flow rate, followed by selective removal of PEO from the PCL/PEO mesh, allowed for control of the porosity of the resulting scaffold. In the second method, aligned fiber mats were fabricated from various concentrations of PCL solutions to generate fibers with diameters between 0.13 ± 0.06 and 9.10 ± 4.1 μm. Of the approaches examined, the variation of PCL fiber diameter was found to be the better method for increasing the infiltration of PC12 cells, with the optimal infiltration into the ca. 1.5-mm-thick meshes observed for the mats with the largest fiber diameters, and hence largest pore sizes.     

Influence of a fiber-network microstructure of paper-structured catalyst on methanol reforming behavior

A novel microstructured catalyst that consists of Cu/ZnO catalyst powders and ceramic fibers was successfully prepared using pulp fibers as a tentative matrix by a papermaking technique. As-prepared material, called a paper-structured catalyst, possessed porous microstructure with layered ceramic fiber networks (average pore size ca. 20 μm, porosity ca. 50%). In the process of methanol autothermal reforming (ATR) to produce hydrogen, paper-structured catalysts demonstrated both high methanol conversion and low concentration of undesirable carbon monoxide as compared with catalyst powders and pellets. The catalytic performance of paper-structured catalysts depended on the use of pulp fibers, which were added in the paper-forming process and finally removed by thermal treatment before ATR performance tests. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and mercury intrusion analysis suggested that the tentative pulp fiber matrix played a significant role in regulating the fiber-network microstructure inside paper composites. Various metallic filters with different average pore sizes, used as supports for Cu/ZnO catalysts, were subjected to ATR performance tests for elucidating the pore effects. The tests indicated that the pore sizes of catalyst support had critical effects on the catalytic efficiency: the maximum hydrogen production was achieved by metallic filters with an average pore size of 20 μm. These results suggested that the paper-specific microstructures contributed to form a suitable catalytic reaction environment, possibly by promoting efficient diffusion of heat and reactants. The paper-structured catalyst with a regular pore microstructure is expected to be a promising catalytic material to provide both practical utility and high efficiency in the catalytic gas-reforming process.     

An ordered electrospun polycaprolactone–collagen–silk fibroin scaffold for hepatocyte culture

Nanofiber scaffolds are widely used as the platform for three-dimensional culture of hepatocytes in vitro. The pore size of scaffolds plays an important role in promoting the infiltration and proliferation of hepatocyte. We show that the average pore size of electrospun scaffold increases from ~ 7.6 to 13.2 μm, while the average fiber diameter decreases from ~ 2.0 to 1.5 μm when collected by probe array collectors. Though increase in pore size decreases the tensile stress of scaffolds, it leads to enhance the proliferation and attachment of hepatocytes. Specifically, a 6 × 6 array scaffold which was prepared by probe collector was orderly arrayed. Compared with the conventional scaffold, the pore size of the arrayed scaffold doubled and the hydrophilicity was improved. When HepG₂ cells were seeded on the arrayed scaffold, cells showed superior adhesion ability, better cell morphology and three-dimensional growth. These results indicated that the ordered 6 × 6 array scaffold has the potential as a suitable substratum for in vitro culture of hepatocytes.     

Anisotropic Effective Thermal Conductivity Measurement of Various Kinds of Metal Fiber Materials

Recently, metal fiber materials were made by laminating metal fibers with a diameter of about 30 μm to 300 μm. Since the almost metal fibers were oriented in the horizontal direction (the major axis of the fiber), these metal fiber materials are estimated to be anisotropic with an effective thermal conductivity. However, there is little quantitative data on the anisotropic effective thermal conductivity of the various kinds of metal fiber materials. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anisotropic effective thermal conductivity of various metal fiber materials experimentally and theoretically. In order to measure the horizontal and vertical effective thermal conductivities of these metal fiber materials, new measurement devices were developed. As a result, it is found that the anisotropic effective thermal conductivity of the various metal fiber materials was confirmed, and the horizontal and vertical effective thermal conductivities of these metal fiber materials depend on the bulk density or porosity, Young’s modulus, the fiber length, and fiber diameter. And a dimensionless correlation equation for predicting the vertical and horizontal effective thermal conductivities of the various kinds of metal fiber materials was derived in terms of various dimensionless parameters.     

Poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds of highly controlled porosity and interconnectivity derived from co-continuous polymer blends: model bead and cell infiltration behavior

Porous structures destined for tissue engineering applications should ideally show controlled and narrow pore size distributions with fully interconnected pores. This study focuses on the development of novel poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) structures with fully connected pores of 84, 116, 141, and 162 μm average diameter, from melt blending of PCL with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) at the co-continuous composition, followed by static annealing and selective extraction of PEO. Our results demonstrate a low onset concentration for PEO continuity and a broad region of phase inversion. A novel in vitro assay was used to compare scaffold infiltration by 10-μm diameter polystyrene beads intended to mimic trypsinized human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs). Beads showed a linear increase in the extent of scaffold infiltration with increasing pore size, whereas BMSCs infiltrated 162 and 141 μm pores, below which the cells aggregated and adhered near the seeding area with low infiltration into the porous device. While providing a baseline for non-aggregated systems, the beads closely mimic trypsinized cells at pore sizes equal to or larger than 141 μm, where optimal retention and distribution of hBMSCs are detected. A cytotoxicity assay using L929 cells showed that these scaffolds were cytocompatible and no cell necrosis was detected. This study shows that a melt blending approach produces porous PCL scaffolds of highly controlled pore size, narrow size distribution and complete interconnectivity, while the bead model system reveals the baseline potential for a homogeneous, non-aggregated distribution of hBMSCs at all penetration depths.     

A novel approach of manufacturing Nickel Wicks for loop heat pipes using Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)

Sintered nickel powder is proposed to be used as porous wicks in loop heat pipes used for space applications such as satellites and space crafts. In this work, the manufacturing procedure for tubular wicks through novel Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) route is discussed. Nickel powder, Polypropylene powder and thermoplastic binder are used to produce feedstock for injection moulding. Ideal sintering condition identified as 900°C and 60 minutes. Porosity, pore diameter of the wicks are evaluated by geometric measurements using an electronic weight measuring machine and a micrometer and extrusion flow Porosimeter, respectively. Permeability was calculated according to the Carmen–Kozeny equation. Experimental finding shows that porosity level of 55 vol%, average pore diameter of 2.6 μm, permeability of 1.94 × 10^???12 m² and roundness of 5% have been achieved in the porous wick. SEM investigation of pore structures shows the presence of large pores which leads to enhanced porosity and interconnected fine pore network responsible for generation of required capillary pumping pressure.     

Effect of chopped Si–Al–C fiber addition on the mechanical properties of silicon carbide composite

Silicon carbide (SiC) composites containing 0–50 mass% of chopped Tyranno^® Si–Al–C (SA) fiber (mean length: 214 μm (SA(214)), 394 μm (SA(394)), and 706 μm (SA(706)) were fabricated using the hot-pressing technique at 1800 °C for 30 min under a uniaxial pressure of 31 MPa in Ar atmosphere. The maximum flexural strength of the SiC composite was 344 MPa for 30 mass% of SA(706) fiber addition, whilst the maximum fracture toughness was 4.7 MPa m^1/2 for 40 mass% of SA(706) fiber addition. Increasing the mean fiber length from 214 to 706 μm decreased the flexural strength from 380 to 281 MPa for 30 mass% of fiber addition, whilst the fracture toughness increased from 3.4 to 4.7 MPa m^1/2 for 40 mass% of fiber addition. Through use of a treated SA(706) fiber containing an approximately 100 nm surface layer of carbon, the fracture toughness further increased to 6.0 MPa m^1/2 for 40 mass% of fiber addition; this value was more than twice that of the monolithic SiC ceramic and is believed to be the highest so far achieved for this type of SiC/SiC composite containing chopped fibers.     

Modeling filtration performance of elliptical fibers with random distributions

The fibrous media with elliptical cross sections may improve the filtration performance, however, current researches mainly focus on the capture mechanisms of a single elliptical fiber, and the fibrous media with randomly distributed fibers are rarely involved. In this work, a 2D numerical model was developed to predict the pressure drop and particle penetration for the fibrous filter composed of randomly distributed elliptical fibers. The results show that a big solid volume fraction of filter increases the effective collision area, and enhances the capture at a low face velocity. The particle penetrations through the fibers with the diameter of 5 μm are conspicuously weaker than those with the diameter of 10 μm, especially at big solid volume fractions and high face velocities. The blunt elliptical fibers restrain the penetration more effectively than the circle ones when the solid volume fraction is high. Though the blunt fibers lead to a large drag force, the increased pressure drop cannot improve the filtration performance at low solid volume fractions. In most cases, the slim elliptical fibers can enhance the filtration performance. A bigger aspect ratio of elliptical fibers leads to a low quality factor, showing the capture efficiency increases with the penalty of a high pressure drop.     

溶液静电纺丝制备热塑性聚酰亚胺超细纤维无纺布

为实现热塑性聚酰亚胺(LPI)无纺布的宏量制备奠定基础,以N-N-二甲基乙酰胺(DMAc)为溶剂,采用静电纺丝技术成功制备了平均直径范围为0.36~1.47μm的LPI超细纤维,系统探讨了纺丝液浓度、流速以及纺丝电压等工艺条件对LPI纤维形貌和直径的影响。结果表明:随着浓度从22%(质量分数,下同)增加到30%,LPI纤维的平均直径显著增大,同时直径分布逐渐变宽,并且在纺丝溶液浓度较低时,有纺锤状纤维存在,随着溶液浓度上升,纺锤状纤维消失,随浓度继续上升,纤维开始产生粘连。纺丝电压的改变对纤维的形貌和平均直径变化不显著;随着流速增加,纤维平均直径随之增大,当流速大于1.5mL/h时,开始出现纤维粘连,大于1.8mL/h时,出现纺锤状纤维。通过优化工艺条件,在LPI浓度28%,电压15kV,流速1.2mL/h,温度30℃,接收距离25cm条件下,制备了平均直径为1.18μm的纤维。     

Silver content effect on rheological and electrical properties of silver pastes

The novelty of this work is laboratory formulation of environmentally friendly, water-based silver inks adapted for screen printing. The challenge was also to elaborate inks that can withstand temperatures as high as 900 °C. Indeed, when printed on ceramic substrate, they were sintered at these high temperatures. These inks can replace conductive silver pastes present in the market, today, and containing irritant solvents such as terpineol and other aromatic solvents. Besides, screen printing is considered as an additive technique, thus allowing reducing wastes. Furthermore, only with 72.5% silver, considered as low content compared to commercial inks (≥75%), prepared inks presented good electrical resistivity, 23 nΩ m, close to that of bulk silver resistivity, 16 nΩ m. Formulation of silver inks with spherical particles, 2–3 μm mean diameter, was performed. The aim of the study was to determine silver content effect on pastes rheological behaviour, lines properties (width, thickness and roughness) and electrical properties. Therefore, rheological behaviour of inks was studied; in particular, Casson and Bingham models were applied in order to determine the yield stress. Viscosity evolution as a function of shear rate was also determined. Besides, the thixotropic behaviour of inks was highlighted. Inks were then screen printed on alumina sintered substrates and cured at different temperatures during 15 min. Topography measurements were performed. Line resistivity as small as 35 nΩ m was measured on cured lines. These inks, printed on ceramic tapes, can be used to print microwave transmission lines, for which resistivities lower than 1 mΩ m are requested.     

3D mechanical analysis of low-density wood-based fiberboards by X-ray microcomputed tomography and Digital Volume Correlation

X-ray microtomography and Digital Volume Correlation are used to characterize the compressive behavior of fibrous materials, composed of wood fibers and thermoplastic fibers. 9-mm height and 9-mm diameter specimens are compressed uniaxially up to 30 % compression rate with an increment of 5 %. The evolution of microstructure is followed at different compression states by X-ray microtomography at a spatial resolution of 6 μm per voxel. Digital Volume Correlation is applied on microtomographic images to obtain the 3D strain field at each loaded state. The studied material shows a heterogeneous local strain field which relates not only to the complex microstructure but also to its modifications under solicitations. Microstructural parameters such as distributions of local porosities and fiber diameters are computed at different states by mathematical morphology. Relations between morphological parameters and 3D strain field are established. In a first approach, we show that the local mechanical behavior is controlled by distributions of local porosities.     

Tapered chalcogenide–tellurite hybrid microstructured fiber for mid-infrared supercontinuum generation

Fibers exhibiting flattened and decreasing dispersion are important in nonlinear applications. Such fibers are difficult to design, particularly in soft glass. In this work, we develop a preliminary design of a highly nonlinear tapered hybrid microstructured optical fiber (TH-MOF) with chalcogenide glass core and tellurite glass microstructure cladding. We then numerically studied its dispersion, loss, and nonlinearity-related optical properties under fundamental mode systematically using the infinitesimal method. The designed TH-MOF exhibits low chromatic dispersion that is similar to a convex function with two zero-dispersion wavelengths and decreases with fiber length from 2 to 5 μm band. The potential use of the TH-MOF in nonlinear applications is demonstrated numerically by a supercontinuum spectrum of 20 dB bandwidth covering 1.96–4.76 μm generated in 2-cm-long TH-MOF using near 3.25-μm fs-laser pump.     

醋酸羟丙基甲基纤维素琥珀酸酯溶液的高压静电场纺丝

研究了醋酸羟丙基甲基纤维素琥珀酸酯(HPMCAS)溶液高压静电场纺丝过程中高聚物分子量、溶液浓度、静电场强度对成纤性和纤维直径的影响,制备出直径范围为0.43μm～1.0μm的纤维。当溶剂、溶液浓度及静电场强度一定时,重均分子量-Mw分别为2.6万、4.8万和7.2万,HPMCAS溶液中只有7.2万者能纺丝得到光滑纤维。在静电场强度、溶剂组成一定条件下,HPMCAS可纺丝浓度范围为8%～15%(质量分数,下同),且随着纺丝溶液浓度的增大,所得纤维的平均直径逐渐增大。当其它条件保持一定时,随着纺丝电压的增大,所得纤维的平均直径呈下降的趋势,所得纤维结晶度略微增大。     

Preparation of surfactant templated nanoporous silica spherical particles by the Stöber method. Effect of solvent composition on the particle size

Monodispersed nanoporous silica spherical particles with the particle size ranges from 0.01 μm to 1.5 μm were successfully prepared by the Stöber method combined with supramolecular templating approach. The particles formed from homogeneous solutions containing tetraethoxysilane, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, methanol, and aqueous ammonia solution at room temperature. In the present study, methanol/tetraethoxysilane ratio was the factor to control the particle size. With increasing the methanol/tetraethoxysilane ratios from 1,125 to 6,000, particle size decreased from 1.5 μm to 0.01 μm. The calcination of the particles resulted in the spherical porous silicas with the average pore sizes of around 2.0 nm irrespective of the particle size. The particle morphology retained after the calcination.     

Characteristics of surface-treatment of nano-SiO2 on the transport properties of hardened cement pastes with different water-to-cement ratios

A reduced transport property of the superficial part of concrete structures is beneficial for enhancing their durability, due to the blocking of the migration of aggressive agents. In this study, influences of colloidal nano-SiO₂ (CNS) with a mean particle size of 20 nm and its precursor, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), on the transport properties of hardened cement pastes with water-to-cement ratios of 0.26, 0.38, 0.60 and 1.0 by mass were investigated by measuring the water absorption ratio and water vapor transmission coefficient, after the samples were first soaked in treatment agents for 1 h. Results showed that CNS and TEOS are capable of reducing the transport properties of hardened cement pastes by altering the pore structures. CNS reduces the threshold value and volume of the pores larger than about 0.1 μm, while TEOS reduces the threshold value and volume of the pores smaller than 0.1 μm, and TEOS also reduces the ratio of the ‘ink-bottle’ pore volume to the throat pore volume to a greater extent. A linear relationship between the volume of capillary pores smaller than 0.1/0.01 μm and the transport property was found, which can be ascribed to the reduction of transport properties of hardened cement pastes after surface-treatment with CNS or TEOS.     

Pore structure and permeability of hardened calcium aluminate cement pastes of low w/c ratio

The conversion of hydrated calcium aluminate cement (CAC) leads to an increase of its porosity which results in lower strength and higher permeability. Due to particular failures in the past, caused by conversion of CAC concretes, their use is sometimes considered to be not reliable. To evaluate the durability of converted CAC, pastes of two CACs were prepared at low w/c ratios (0.25 and 0.35), heated to 105 °C for 15 days and investigated by means of helium pycnometry, mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption as well as by air permeability measurements. The results were compared to the pore structure properties and permeabilities of hardened Portland cement (OPC) pastes. At identical w/c, CAC pastes and OPC pastes exhibited similar open and total porosities. The threshold radii of the CAC pastes were about one order of magnitude greater while the hydraulic radii of their open pore system were smaller. The CAC pastes possessed somewhat smaller permeabilities than the OPC pastes and can thus be regarded as being as durable as the latter in this respect. From comparison of pore structure parameters and permeabilities it was furthermore concluded that significant pore structure damage occurs in the CAC pastes during mercury porosimetry measurements and therefore the measured threshold radii have to be considered as unreliable.     

High Efficiency Poly(acrylonitrile) Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Airborne Nanomaterials Filtration

The potential of poly(acrylonitrile) electrospun membranes with tuneable pore size and fiber distributions were investigated for airborne fine‐particle filtration for the first time. The impact of solution concentration on final membrane properties are evaluated for the purpose of designing separation materials with higher separation efficiency. The properties of fibers and membranes are investigated systematically: the average pore distribution, as characterized by capillary flow porometry, and thermo‐mechanical properties of the mats are found to be dependent on fiber diameter and on specific electrospinning conditions. Filtration efficiency and pressure drop are calculated from measurement of penetration through the membranes using potassium chloride (KCl) aerosol particles ranging from 300 nm to 12 μm diameter. The PAN membranes exhibited separation efficiencies in the range of 73.8–99.78% and a typical quality factor 0.0224 (1 Pa^?1) for 12 wt% PAN with nanofibers having a diameter of 858 nm. Concerning air flow rate, the quality factor and filtration efficiency of the electrospun membranes at higher face velocity are much more stable than for commercial membranes. The results suggest that the structure of electrospun membranes is the best for air filtration in terms of filtration stability at high air flow rate.

     

Effect of chromium carbide coating on thermal properties of short graphite fiber/Al composites

A chromium carbide coating was synthesized onto graphite fibers by molten salts method to improve the interfacial bonding and thermal properties of short graphite fiber/Al composites which were fabricated by vacuum pressure infiltration technique. The graphite fiber/Al composites with different thicknesses of chromium carbide coatings were prepared through varying plating times to investigate the influence of chromium carbide layer on the microstructures and thermal properties of the composites. The combined Maxwell–Garnett effective medium approach and acoustic mismatch model schemes were used to theoretically predict thermal conductivities of the composites. The results indicated that the chromium carbide coating formed on graphite fiber surface in molten salts consists mainly of the Cr₇C₃ phase. The Cr₇C₃-coating layer with plating time of 60 min and thickness of 0.5 μm was found to be most effective in improving the interfacial bonding and decreasing the interfacial thermal resistance between graphite fiber and aluminum matrix. The 40 vol% Cr₇C₃-coated graphite fiber/Al composite with Cr₇C₃ thickness of 0.5 μm exhibited 45.4 % enhancement in in-plane thermal conductivity of 221 W m^?1 K^?1 compared to that of uncoated composite, as well as the coefficient of thermal expansion of 9.4 × 10^?6 K^?1, which made it as very interesting material for thermal management applications.     

Control of cell proliferation by a porous chitosan scaffold with multiple releasing capabilities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a porous chitosan scaffold with long-acting drug release as an artificial dressing to promote skin wound healing. The dressing was fabricated by pre-freezing at different temperatures (?20 and ?80 °C) for different periods of time, followed by freeze-drying to form porous chitosan scaffolds with different pore sizes. The chitosan scaffolds were then used to investigate the effect of the controlled release of fibroblast growth factor-basic (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) on mouse fibroblast cells (L929) and bovine carotid endothelial cells (BEC). The biocompatibility of the prepared chitosan scaffold was confirmed with WST-1 proliferation and viability assay, which demonstrated that the material is suitable for cell growth. The results of this study show that the pore sizes of the porous scaffolds prepared by freeze-drying can change depending on the pre-freezing temperature and time via the formation of ice crystals. In this study, the scaffolds with the largest pore size were found to be 153 ± 32 μm and scaffolds with the smallest pores to be 34 ± 9 μm. Through cell culture analysis, it was found that the concentration that increased proliferation of L929 cells for bFGF was 0.005 to 0.1 ng/mL, and the concentration for TGFβ1 was 0.005 to 1 ng/mL. The cell culture of the chitosan scaffold and growth factors shows that 3.75 ng of bFGF in scaffolds with pore sizes of 153 ± 32 μm can promote L929 cell proliferation, while 400 pg of TGFβ1 in scaffolds with pore size of 34 ± 9 μm can enhance the proliferation of L929 cells, but also inhibit BEC proliferation. It is proposed that the prepared chitosan scaffolds can form a multi-drug (bFGF and TGFβ1) release dressing that has the ability to control wound healing via regulating the proliferation of different cell types.     

Low-temperature processing of porous SiC ceramics

Porous silicon carbide ceramics were fabricated from SiC, polysiloxane, and polymer microbead (as a pore former) at a temperature as low as 800 °C by a simple pressing and heat-treatment process. The effects of polysiloxane and template contents on the porosity and strength of the ceramics were investigated. During heat treatment, the polysiloxane transformed to an amorphous SiOC phase, which acted as the bonding material between SiC particles, and the polymer microbeads decomposed into gases and left pores. The porosity of porous SiC ceramics could be controlled within a range of 26–56 % with the present set of processing variables. The porous SiC ceramics showed a maximal porosity of 56 % when 10 μm SiC particles and 16 % polysiloxane were used with 20 % polymer microbeads. Flexural strength generally increased with increasing polysiloxane content and decreased with increasing polymer microbead content. Typical flexural strength of the porous SiC ceramics was 53 MPa at 42 % porosity.