One-Step Production of Fiber Reinforced Hydrogels
- Detailed Technology Description
- Innovations in multilayer coextrusion technology have translated to the fabrication of melt-extruded polymeric rectangular fiber mats and composites. Distinct advantages of this modular approach over
- *Abstract
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Innovations in multilayer coextrusion technology have translated to the fabrication of melt-extruded polymeric rectangular fiber mats and composites. Distinct advantages of this modular approach over other traditional fiber processing techniques include scalability, environmentally-friendly conditions, and the ability to obtain cross-sectional dimensions on the nanoscale. Specifically, we have manufactured biologically-relevant, high surface poly(caprolactone) (PCL) fiber constructs and achieved tunable fiber dimensions and variations in PCL chain orientation and mechanics via uniform fiber drawing.PCL fiber reinforced PEO hydrogels seeded with NIH3T3 mouse embryo fibroblast cells enabled cells to adhere and grow along the hydrogel surface, demonstrating that fiber-reinforced hydrogels fabricated via multilayer coextrusion are viable tissue engineering cell scaffolds. Surface functionalization of these PCL fibers has also been demonstrated, providing a pathway for functional fiber substrates. PCL blends have also been manufactured to tailored degradation pathways. It is envisioned that these materials will impact a range of applications in health care technology, such as for incontinence treatment, topical and implantable wound care, and tissue engineering applications.
- Country/Region
- USA
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