Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeong-Sik Jo, Jihoon Choi, Seung-Hoon Lee, Changhoon Song, Heeso Noh, Jae-Won Jang
Summary: The mass fabrication of 3D silicon microstructures with a 100 nm resolution is achieved using scanning probe lithography combined with metal-assisted chemical etching. Various protruding and recessed silicon structures are obtained via different lithography methods, demonstrating applications in nanoimprinting and PDMS stamps. Mass production of arbitrarily shaped silicon microparticles at submicrometer resolution is developed using silicon-on-insulator substrates, with applications in optical microresonators, surface-enhanced Raman scattering templates, and smart microparticles for fluorescence signal coding.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Filippo Amadeo, Prithviraj Mukherjee, Hua Gao, Jian Zhou, Ian Papautsky
Summary: Soft lithography for microfluidic devices is popular due to its simplicity and low cost, but PDMS masters can be expensive and fragile. This study presents an optimized method using PC sheets on PDMS molds for replication, successfully replicating various microfluidic devices with different aspect ratios. It is a cost-effective, fast, and simple approach for long-term preservation of soft lithography masters.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Gabriel Villalba-Alumbreros, Enrique Lopez-Camara, Javier Martinez-Gomez, Santiago Cobreces, Ignacio Valiente-Blanco, Efren Diez-Jimenez
Summary: This paper presents a microcutting process of FeCo-2 V-based soft magnetic alloys as an alternative method for obtaining microparts with high magnetic properties and good geometrical finish. The results of the machining process are analyzed by varying the machining parameters such as depth of cut, tool diameter, rotation speed, and feed speed. The study shows that micromilling can be a good alternative for microfabrication of FeCo-2 V components suitable for precision microassemblies on MEMS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuanyi Chen, Taichi Furukawa, Taichi Ibi, Yohei Noda, Shoji Maruo
Summary: In this study, ceramic lattice microstructures were successfully fabricated using optical fibers to irradiate a photocurable ceramic slurry via micro-stereolithography. By optimizing fabrication conditions, the desired microstructures were achieved. The proposed simple and compact fabrication system can be used to produce 3D microparts from various ceramics for electronics, mechanics, optics, and medical applications.
OPTICAL MATERIALS EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Daniel W. Simmons, David R. Schuftan, Ghiska Ramahdita, Nathaniel Huebsch
Summary: Tissue-engineered in vitro models are important tools in biomedical research. However, controlling the geometry of microscale tissues is challenging. In this study, a double molding approach was developed to replicate high-resolution stereolithographic prints into PDMS elastomer, facilitating rapid design iterations and parallelized sample production. Additionally, this method minimizes the transfer of toxic materials from the original 3D print into the PDMS replica, enhancing its use for biological applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ozgun Civelekoglu, Ruxiu Liu, Norh Asmare, A. K. M. Arifuzzman, A. Fatih Sarioglu
Summary: In this study, a robust and straightforward method for creating 3D electrical sensors in microfluidic devices fabricated using soft lithography was introduced. By placing a blanket electrode on the microfluidic channel walls, the electrical sensor wraps around the flow channel to provide higher sensitivity than coplanar counterparts, extend the sensing volume, and simplify the creation of electrical sensor networks.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaoyan Mao, Ting Li, Junqiu Cheng, Meihan Tao, Zhiyuan Li, Yizhan Ma, Rabia Javed, Jie Bao, Fang Liang, Weihong Guo, Xiaohong Tian, Jun Fan, Tianhao Yu, Qiang Ao
Summary: A novel electrospun bilayer-structured nerve conduit (BNC) consisting of outer poly (L-lactic acid-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLA-PCL) and inner extracellular matrix (ECM) was fabricated for nerve regeneration. BNC showed good mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and bioactivity, making it more effective in nerve regeneration compared to single ECM conduit (ENC) or PLA-PCL conduit.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Ma, Hao Wang, Qiqi Wang, Xiaodong Cao, Huichang Gao
Summary: This study developed a multi-channel nerve guidance conduit (NGC) with dual electrical activity of piezoelectricity and conductivity to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the electroactive NGC promoted cell proliferation, differentiation, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery of peripheral nerves, indicating its great potential in repairing peripheral nerve injuries.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yi-jun Liu, Xiao-feng Chen, Li-ping Zhou, Feng Rao, Dian-ying Zhang, Yan-hua Wang
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the effect and mechanism of Wnt5a-loaded fibrin hydrogel on a 10-mm rat sciatic nerve defect. Results showed that Wnt5a could promote Schwann cell proliferation and the expression of various neurotrophic factors, and the Wnt5a/Fn group outperformed the control groups in terms of nerve regeneration and functional recovery 12 weeks after the operation. The Wnt5a/Fn nerve conduit may promote peripheral nerve defect regeneration by facilitating multiple neurotrophin secretion, combining vascularization and neurotrophic growth cues.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chaoying Zhang, Jiaxing Gong, Jingyu Zhang, Ziyu Zhu, Ying Qian, Kejie Lu, Siyi Zhou, Tianyi Gu, Huiming Wang, Yong He, Mengfei Yu
Summary: The replacement of autograft with a nerve guidance conduit (NGC) in peripheral nerve injury is challenging due to the limited conductivity and biocompatibility of current NGCs in vivo. In this review, the authors explore the superior factors for nerve conduction, the construction of a more conductive regenerative scaffold, and the next steps in nerve regeneration for NGCs. The analysis of NGC-related references suggests that conductive materials, manufacturing technologies of neural scaffolds, and electrical stimulation (ES) play essential roles in accelerating nerve conduction.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Merav Antman-Passig, Jonathan Giron, Moshe Karni, Menachem Motiei, Hadas Schori, Orit Shefi
Summary: Nerve growth conduits play a crucial role in supporting and promoting axon regeneration following nerve injuries. A biomimetic regenerative gel enriched with magnetic nanoparticles coated with nerve growth factor has been developed, showing promising effects on enhancing nerve regeneration in in vivo rat models. The magnet-based therapeutic conduits demonstrate oriented and directed axonal growth, providing a novel therapeutic approach to overcoming current medical obstacles for nerve injuries.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wufei Dai, Yating Yang, Yumin Yang, Wei Liu
Summary: Tissue-engineered nerve conduits, using both natural and synthetic materials, have been employed to treat peripheral nerve defects and promote nerve regeneration. In addition to traditional advantages, such as good biocompatibility and controllable degradation, these conduits have been enhanced with properties like biomimetic surface topography, extracellular matrix components, neurotrophic factors, and cell seeding.
NANOTECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongcong Fang, Chengjin Wang, Zibo Liu, Jeonghoon Ko, Li Chen, Ting Zhang, Zhuo Xiong, Lei Zhang, Wei Sun
Summary: In this study, a conductive multiscale filled NGC (MF-NGC) is developed, which significantly enhances peripheral nerve regeneration. The printed MF-NGCs possess good permeability, mechanical stability, and electrical conductivity, promoting the elongation and growth of Schwann cells and neurite outgrowth. Animal studies demonstrate that the MF-NGCs promote neovascularization and M2 transition, leading to improved peripheral nerve regeneration. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using 3D-printed conductive MF-NGCs with hierarchically oriented fibers as functional conduits.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Eugenio Redolfi-Riva, Miriam Perez-Izquierdo, Ciro Zinno, Estefania Contreras, Bruno Rodriguez-Meana, Federica Iberite, Leonardo Ricotti, Silvestro Micera, Xavier Navarro
Summary: This study introduces a novel design of nerve conduit composed of a chitosan porous matrix and a 3D-printed poly-& epsilon;-caprolactone mesh. The conduits show high controllability and can support nerve regeneration, enabling the repair of long nerve defects. Animal experiments demonstrate muscle functional recovery and abundant cellularization and axon regeneration within the conduits, suggesting their potential to overcome the limitations of autograft for repairing long nerve gaps.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhi Yao, Weihao Yuan, Jiankun Xu, Wenxue Tong, Jie Mi, Pak-Cheong Ho, Dick Ho Kiu Chow, Ye Li, Hao Yao, Xu Li, Shunxiang Xu, Jiaxin Guo, Qingtang Zhu, Liming Bian, Ling Qin
Summary: In this study, an injectable hydrogel based on bisphosphonate was developed to sustainably release magnesium ions for peripheral nerve regeneration. The experimental results showed that magnesium ions promoted neurite outgrowth in a concentration-dependent manner by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and Sema5b. In a rat nerve defect model, filling the polycaprolactone conduit with magnesium-releasing hydrogel significantly enhanced axon regeneration and remyelination, leading to improved functional recovery.
