Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jie Hong, Jiahao Gong, Qian Li, Zhongshan Deng, Lin Gui
Summary: A novel reversible bonding technique for liquid metal microelectrode fabrication was introduced in this study, simplifying the fabrication process and enabling rapid production of blind-end electrodes. Experimental results showed that heat/plasma treatment had the strongest bonding strength among three tested treatments, all of which could be completely released with simple water treatment. This fabrication method facilitated the vertical integration of micro-liquid metal electrodes in a microchannel, while significantly reducing fabrication time and cost when used to integrate liquid metal thermocouples in a microchannel.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Andreas Tsiamis, Anthony Buchoux, Stephen T. Mahon, Anthony J. Walton, Stewart Smith, David J. Clarke, Adam A. Stokes
Summary: The lab-on-a-chip concept, enabled by microfluidic technology, integrates multiple discrete laboratory techniques into a miniaturised system. However, previous research has focused on developing individual elements without fully optimising and miniaturising the complete system. This paper presents a demonstrator platform that fully integrates multiple technologies into a single device, enabling breakthroughs in research by incorporating all physical requirements into one device.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Jie Cui, Youliang Zhang, Quan Jiang, Ping Lu, Peng Xie, Shusu Duan
Summary: This study examined the weakening mechanism and degree of rock mass strength caused by closed non-persistent joints. Through a layered and embedded pouring method, rock-like specimens with closed non-persistent joints were prepared. It was found that joint orientation is the main factor controlling the failure mode and that increasing joint dip angle led to changes in the failure mode.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED FRACTURE MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Wenling Guo, Peng Cao, Fengli Dai, Yonggang Li, Rongmin Wang, Pengfei Song, Yufeng He
Summary: The novel antibacterial material, polymer cations-adjustable porous materials (PCaPM), was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) and quaternization. PCaPM showed excellent antibacterial activity due to the presence of quaternary ammonium salts groups and had great prospects in various applications.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Piotr Fedelinski
Summary: In this study, the boundary element method and a computer code were developed to analyze plates with closed branched and intersecting cracks. The results showed the simplicity and accuracy of the method, and its potential applications in different scenarios.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mengjun Li, Jinyan Wang, Bin Zhang, Qianqian Tao, Hongyue Wang, Qirui Cao, Chengyu Huang, Jingqian Liu, Jianghui Mo, Wengang Wu, Shujun Cai
Summary: The gate and gate dielectric structure fabricated using SiN/AlN and SiO2 layers can effectively protect GaN material, resulting in minimal degradation of on-resistance and excellent electrical performance in the fabricated devices.
SOLID-STATE ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Mohammad Jafar Sharifi, Mohammad Azadi, Mahboobeh Azadi
Summary: In this study, a heat-treated nano-clay composite was prepared to improve the high-cycle bending fatigue properties of AlSiCu aluminum alloys. Results showed a significant increase in fatigue lifetime due to reinforcements and proper distribution of nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix. The scatter-band for fatigue lifetime was narrower in the heat-treated nano-composite.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART C-JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
X. Guo, Z. Chen, M. Gao, X. Ma
Summary: This article presents a new method for fabricating a custom glass fiber post-and-core and crown simultaneously. The critical step involves constructing a virtual crown abutment that mimics the profile of a real one after post-cementation and tooth preparation. The fully digital workflow optimizes treatment and saves time by completing restorations in the first visit.
OPERATIVE DENTISTRY
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xin Bin, Iman Roqan
Summary: In this study, a micro-pump strategy was utilized to inject perovskite materials into Si micro-channels, creating numerous perovskite micro-wires within periodic Si micro-grooves. The fabrication process involved mask-free laser interference lithography to generate periodic Si micro-channels and deposition of a SiO2 layer on the Si array before pumping perovskite. Demonstrating a cost-effective and zero-waste approach, highly responsive photodetectors were successfully manufactured based on uniform perovskite micro-wires/SiO2/Si periodic arrays.
2021 IEEE 17TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GROUP IV PHOTONICS (GFP 2021)
(2021)
Article
Biology
Maia Al-Masri, Karina Paliotti, Raymond Tran, Ruba Halaoui, Virginie Lelarge, Sudipa Chatterjee, Li-Ting Wang, Christopher Moraes, Luke McCaffrey
Summary: The study found that cancer cells cultured in flat environments primarily rely on oxidative phosphorylation for high energy production and depend on glucose and glutamine for growth, while cells in organotypic culture show lower energy levels and metabolic plasticity to maintain growth during glucose or amino acid deprivation. The mechanical properties were identified to control metabolic plasticity, correlating with canonical Wnt signaling.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Carley Ort, Yimai Chen, Ajinkya Ghagre, Allen Ehrlicher, Christopher Moraes
Summary: The study demonstrates an accessible 3D, stiffness-tunable tissue culture platform that allows for bio-printing of microgels with strong reproducibility and consistent mechanical properties tunability. This system reveals morphological changes of cells in culture, investigates the role of matrix mechanics and soluble factors in a collagen contraction assay, and conducts a prototype viability screen against a candidate chemotherapeutic drug, showing stiffness-dependent responses.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Alexander Kaltashov, Prabu Karthick Parameshwar, Nicholas Lin, Christopher Moraes
Summary: This paper explores the use of a moving light source (MOLIS) for large-area lithography applications. By controlling the speed, elevation, and movement pattern of the light source, the authors achieved uniform UV exposure on a photoresist-coated substrate. They constructed an inexpensive MOLIS platform using a modified 3D printer and UV-LED flashlight, and demonstrated its effectiveness in SU-8 microfabrication.
JOURNAL OF MICROMECHANICS AND MICROENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Christina-Marie Boghdady, Nikita Kalashnikov, Stephanie Mok, Luke McCaffrey, Christopher Moraes
Summary: Cell-generated forces are crucial in various biological processes, but quantifying these forces in vivo is technically challenging. The use of force-sensing technologies and biomaterials can provide insight into the mechanical nature of tissue processes, with a specific focus on characteristics of cell and tissue tensegrity.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Amin Valiei, Nicholas Lin, Geoffrey McKay, Dao Nguyen, Christopher Moraes, Reghan J. Hill, Nathalie Tufenkji
Summary: This study investigates the effect of hydrophobicity on the bactericidal activity of nanopillar-textured surfaces. The results show that superhydrophilic surfaces have the highest bactericidal activity, while increasing hydrophobicity diminishes the bactericidal effect.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Nicholas Lin, Amin Valiei, Geoffrey McKay, Dao Nguyen, Nathalie Tufenkji, Christopher Moraes
Summary: The self-assembled ZnO nanopillars synthesized at high surface density possess anti-biofouling properties by promoting the detachment of bacterial cells from the surface.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mika Brown, Jianyu Li, Christopher Moraes, Maryam Tabrizian, Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen
Summary: Extracellular matrix is a promising biomaterial candidate for regenerative medicine applications due to its rich biomolecules. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been developed in various forms, such as injectable hydrogels, electrospun scaffolds, and bioprinted scaffolds, to engineer different tissue types. This review paper highlights the challenges, fabrication methods, and progress made for each tissue type, aiming to push dECM biomaterials towards effective and specialized tissue repair.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Nikita Kalashnikov, Christopher Moraes
Summary: Explores the use of engineering tools to study the biophysics of innate immune cells, highlighting the influence of physical microenvironments on the innate immune system. Discusses how biophysical insights can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of innate immunity and the development of mechanical immune biomarkers and immunomodulatory therapies.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mostafa Rammal, Chen Li, James Reeves, Christopher Moraes, Matthew J. Harrington
Summary: Granular hydrogels formed from jammed hydrogel microparticles, utilizing their thixotropic behavior, microporosity, and modular properties, have shown potential for a wide range of applications, including tissue repair, drug delivery, and cell therapy. Current annealing techniques for these hydrogels have limitations, but by functionalizing microgels with peptides inspired by mussel byssus proteins, we have developed a reversible metal coordination cross-linking method to create microporous, self-healing, and resilient scaffolds at physiological conditions. These annealed granular hydrogel scaffolds demonstrate cytocompatibility and hold promise for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wontae Lee, Christina-Marie Boghdady, Virginie Lelarge, Richard L. Leask, Luke McCaffrey, Christopher Moraes
Summary: Measuring internal mechanical stresses within 3D tissues is important for understanding morphogenesis and disease progression. Cell-sized hydrogel microspheres can deform within remodelling tissues and be imaged to measure internal stresses. However, ultrasoft hydrogel formulations are challenging to label with fluorescent materials for repeated measurements in optically dense tissues. Here, edge-labelled ultrasoft hydrogel microdroplets with bright and stable fluorescent nanoparticles are created for long-term experiments in cancer tumor models.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nicholas Lin, Geoffrey Mckay, Dao Nguyen, Christopher Moraes, Nathalie Tufenkji
Summary: Mechano-bactericidal nanopillars, with specific width and spacing, were found to exhibit antibacterial properties that are dependent on bacterial concentration. Bioluminescence monitoring was shown to be a promising tool for evaluating the efficacy of such nanopillars as antibacterial coatings.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Camille Cassel de Camps, Stephanie Mok, Emily Ashby, Chen Li, Paula Lepine, Thomas M. M. Durcan, Christopher Moraes
Summary: Biofabrication of tissues is improved by using microfabricated smart hydrogel platforms to compress and mold microtissues into customized shapes. These Compressive Hydrogel Molders (CHyMs) can temporarily compress tissues, force them into new shapes, and then release them for downstream applications. The platform is demonstrated by molding breast cancer spheroids and brain organoids, resulting in shape changes and appropriate tissue differentiation. This new tool allows for the exploration of alternative organoid geometries as building blocks for bioassembly applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nikita Kalashnikov, Christopher Moraes
Summary: Viscoelasticity is an important biophysical regulator of macrophage function. The influence of viscoelasticity on macrophage behavior has been explored using a tunable viscoelastic hydrogel culture system. Macrophages on more viscous hydrogel substrates become smaller, rounder, and less efficient at phagocytosis. These results have implications in the design of immunomodulatory biomaterials.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Camille Cassel de Camps, Saba Aslani, Nicholas Stylianesis, Harris Nami, Nguyen-Vi Mohamed, Thomas M. Durcan, Christopher Moraes
Summary: Brain organoids grown in interpenetrating network (IPN) of alginate-modified Matrigel showed restricted growth in stiffer matrixes, leading to biased cell populations toward mature neuronal phenotypes. This study highlights the importance of mechanical properties in brain organoid development and suggests the potential of designing encapsulation materials to modulate organoid growth and maturation.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Prabu Karthick Parameshwar, Lucas Sagrillo-Fagundes, Caroline Fournier, Sylvie Girard, Cathy Vaillancourt, Christopher Moraes
Summary: This study reveals the impact of changes in ECM composition in preeclampsia on placental trophoblast function, highlighting the important role of disease-specific matrix compositions in trophoblast fusion and suggesting novel matrix-targeting therapeutic strategies for pregnancy-related disorders. The decellularization-based approach used in this research demonstrates the utility of understanding the functional contributions of matrix composition in driving cellular disease phenotypes.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)