波浪形聚苯乙烯和铜微纤维阵列的可控制备及性能

提出基于静电纺丝法制备波浪形聚苯乙烯微纤维阵列,并以之为模板实现波浪形铜微纤维及其阵列的简易可控制备。通过静电纺丝法制备出了具有不同振幅、波长的波浪形聚苯乙烯微纤维,获得了单轴、正交、菱形等多种结构可控的波浪形纤维阵列,发现波浪形纤维振幅随收集板速度的变化规律满足Hopf分岔理论,表明波浪形纤维由直纤维经垂直于收集板移动方向上的非线性扰动产生,且该扰动具有O(2)对称性。以上述聚合物纤维阵列为模板,获得了形貌和结构可控的波浪形铜微纤维阵列,该波浪形铜纤维阵列为一体化的导电网络,其透光性和电阻分别为87%和425Ω,有望作为透明电极应用于光电子器件及其互连线中。     

Fabrication of weaved ceramic mesh from green microfibers based on cross-flow microfluidics

Microfibers-weaved ceramic filters are in increasing demand due to their high filtration efficiency, stable structure and remarkable ceramic properties in water and gas treatment. To date, it remains a challenge to find an effective way to weave ceramic microfibers. This work demonstrates a novel strategy that combines gel-casting and in situ cross-flow microfluidic molding to fabricate highly flexible and shape-retentive green microfibers and then weaves them before sintering. By tailoring the curing temperature and flow rate, the diameter and surface morphology of the microfiber is accordingly tuned. Besides mesh structure, the microfibers can also be weaved into more complex three-dimensional structures such as dragonfly knot, Chinese knot, etc. Benefitting from the widely used solution system and microfluidic method, this system can serve as a general and stable platform for preparing microfibers-weaved ceramic filters made from different materials, thus holds great potential in a wide range of working conditions.     

Bi‐Layered Tubular Microfiber Scaffolds as Functional Templates for Engineering Human Intestinal Smooth Muscle Tissue

Designing biomimetic scaffolds with in vivo–like microenvironments using biomaterials is an essential component of successful tissue engineering approaches. The intestinal smooth muscle layers exhibit a complex tubular structure consisting of two concentric muscle layers in which the inner circular layer is orthogonally oriented to the outer longitudinal layer. Here, a 3D bi‐layered tubular scaffold is presented based on flexible, mechanically robust, and well aligned silk protein microfibers to mimic the native human intestinal smooth muscle structure. The scaffolds are seeded with primary human intestinal smooth muscle cells to replicate intestinal muscle tissues in vitro. Characterization of the tissue constructs reveals good biocompatibility and support for cell alignment and elongation in the different scaffold layers to enhance cell differentiation and functions. Furthermore, the engineered smooth muscle constructs support oriented neurite outgrowth, a requisite step to achieve functional innervation. These results suggest these microfiber scaffolds as functional templates for in vitro regeneration of human intestinal smooth muscle systems. The scaffolding provides a crucial step toward engineering functional human intestinal tissue in vitro, as well as engineering other types of smooth muscles in terms of their similar phenotypes. Such utility may lead to a better understanding of smooth muscle associated diseases and treatments.     

Miniature interferometric humidity sensors based on silica/polymer microfiber knot resonators

In this paper, two fiber-optic interferometric humidity sensors based on silica/polymer microfiber knot resonators (SMKR/PMKR) are reported. These tiny humidity sensors are directly fabricated by using silica/polymer microfibers without any humidity-sensitive coating. The silica microfiber knot resonator sensor has a humidity sensitivity of ∼12 pm/10%-RH within a linearity range from 15%-RH to 60%-RH, while the polymer microfiber knot resonators sensor has a humidity sensitivity of ∼88 pm/10%-RH, with a linearity range from 17%-RH to 95%-RH. The temporal response of the PMKR sensor is <0.5 s. Such types of humidity sensors have advantages of easy fabrication, fast response, extremely compact size, stable and low cost, they would find potential applications in micro-scale humidity sensing.     

Numerical modelling of microfibers formation and motion during melt blowing

Melt blowing (MB) is a widely used one-step process to manufacture products comprising microfibers in large quantities. However, fiber formation and motion are complicated and difficult to modeling in MB. In this study, a comprehensive MB model from orifice exit to collection screen is developed. Fiber is described as a model of a series of beads connected by polymer element. Fiber formation and motion are simulated by predicting beads deformation and speed. Compared with our previous work, the improved model introduces Giesekus constitutive equation, adds fiber crystal energy term and fiber thermal radiation term in the energy equation and considers fiber crystallization during fiber formation. The model can be used for predicting fiber spatial position, velocity, temperature, diameter, and crystallinity. This study provides precisely predicted results and a better understanding on the fiber formation process.     

Functionalization of Crosslinked Sodium Alginate/Gelatin Wet-Spun Porous Fibers with Nisin Z for the Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Infections

Nisin Z, an amphipathic peptide, with a significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and low toxicity in humans, has been studied for food preservation applications. Thus far, very little research has been done to explore its potential in biomedicine. Here, we report the modification of sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin (GN) blended microfibers, produced via the wet-spinning technique, with Nisin Z, with the purpose of eradicating Staphylococcus aureus-induced infections. Wet-spun SAGN microfibers were successfully produced at a 70/30% v/v of SA (2 wt%)/GN (1 wt%) polymer ratio by extrusion within a calcium chloride (CaCl₂) coagulation bath. Modifications to the biodegradable fibers’ chemical stability and structure were then introduced via crosslinking with CaCl₂ and glutaraldehyde (SAGNCL). Regardless of the chemical modification employed, all microfibers were labelled as homogeneous both in size (≈246.79 µm) and shape (cylindrical and defect-free). SA-free microfibers, with an increased surface area for peptide immobilization, originated from the action of phosphate buffer saline solution on SAGN fibers, were also produced (GNCL). Their durability in physiological conditions (simulated body fluid) was, however, compromised very early in the experiment (day 1 and 3, with and without Nisin Z, respectively). Only the crosslinked SAGNCL fibers remained intact for the 28 day-testing period. Their thermal resilience in comparison with the unmodified and SA-free fibers was also demonstrated. Nisin Z was functionalized onto the unmodified and chemically altered fibers at an average concentration of 178 µg/mL. Nisin Z did not impact on the fiber’s morphology nor on their chemical/thermal stability. However, the peptide improved the SA fibers (control) structural integrity, guaranteeing its stability for longer, in physiological conditions. Its main effect was detected on the time-kill kinetics of the bacteria S. aureus. SAGNCL and GNCL loaded with Nisin Z were capable of progressively eliminating the bacteria, reaching an inhibition superior to 99% after 24 h of culture. The peptide-modified SA and SAGN were not as effective, losing their antimicrobial action after 6 h of incubation. Bacteria elimination was consistent with the release kinetics of Nisin Z from the fibers. In general, data revealed the increased potential and durable effect of Nisin Z (significantly superior to its free, unloaded form) against S. aureus-induced infections, while loaded onto prospective biomedical wet-spun scaffolds.     

Microfluidic Fabrication of Physically Assembled Nanogels and Micrometric Fibers by Using a Hyaluronic Acid Derivative

The employ of a hyaluronic acid (HA) derivative, bearing octadecyl (C₁₈) and ethylenediamine (EDA) groups, for microfluidic fabrication of nanogels and microfibers is reported in this study. Two HA‐EDA‐C₁₈ derivatives (125 and 320 kDa) having ionic strength sensitive properties are synthesized and characterized. The control of the rheological properties of HA‐EDA‐C₁₈ aqueous dispersions by formation of inclusion complexes with hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrins (HPCD) is described. Reversibility of C₁₈/HPCD complexation and physical crosslinking is detected in media with different ionic strength through oscillation frequency tests. HA‐EDA‐C₁₈ 125 kDa is employed for nanogel fabrication. Control over nanogel dimension by flow ratio regulation is demonstrated. HA‐EDA‐C₁₈ 320 kDa with HPCD is employed for fabrication of both microfibers and microchannels. Dimension of fibers is controlled by modulating flow ratios. Suitability for biological functionalization is assayed introducing cell adhesive peptides. Adhesion and encapsulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells is evaluated.