Nanocellulose/bioactive glass cryogels as scaffolds for bone regeneration

A major challenge exists in the preparation of scaffolds for bone regeneration, namely, achieving simultaneously bioactivity, biocompatibility, mechanical performance and simple manufacturing. Here, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are introduced for the preparation of scaffolds taking advantage of their biocompatibility and ability to form strong 3D porous networks from aqueous suspensions. CNF are made bioactive for bone formation through a simple and scalable strategy that achieves highly interconnected 3D networks. The resultant materials optimally combine morphological and mechanical features and facilitate hydroxyapatite formation while releasing essential ions for in vivo bone repair. The porosity and roughness of the scaffolds favor several cell functions while the ions act in the expression of genes associated with cell differentiation. Ion release is found critical to enhance the production of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) from cells within the fractured area, thus accelerating the in vivo bone repair. Systemic biocompatibility indicates no negative effects on vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. The results pave the way towards a facile preparation of advanced, high performance CNF-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Effect of diffusion brazing time on microstructure, isothermal solidification completion and microhardness distribution during joining of Nicrofer 5520 superalloy using a liquated Ni–Cr–B interlayer

In the present study, the effect of time on the microstructural evolution, distribution of elements, type of precipitated phases, and microhardness of diffusion brazed Nicrofer 5520 superalloy using a BNi-9 (Ni–15%Cr–3.7%B) interlayer was investigated. The diffusion brazing was carried out at 1120 °C for seven different holding times by using a 38 μm thick interlayer. The results indicated that the holding time of 30 min was sufficient for complete isothermal solidification. The eutectic gamma solid solution, Ni-rich borides, and Cr–Mo-rich borides were identified near the bond center before the completion of isothermal solidification, (Ni, Mo, Cr)-rich borides and Cr–Ni–Mo–Fe carbides with different morphologies were found in the diffusion affected zone (DAZ). In the holding time longer than 30 min and, the volume fraction of the precipitated phases in the DAZ decreased, and they transformed into rounder particles. Accordingly, the chemical composition of the interlayer became more homogeneous, resulting in a lower DAZ phases’ density that is happened over the higher brazing times. As the holding time was increased, the chemical composition in the interlayer became more similar to the base metal, and the microhardness in the bond zone and its surrounding became more uniform

Advancing Tissue Engineering: A Tale of Nano-, Micro-, and Macroscale Integration

Tissue engineering has the potential to revolutionize the health care industry. Delivering on this promise requires the generation of efficient, controllable and predictable implants. The integration of nano- and microtechnologies into macroscale regenerative biomaterials plays an essential role in the generation of such implants, by enabling spatiotemporal control of the cellular microenvironment. Here we review the role, function and progress of a wide range of nano- and microtechnologies that are driving the advancements in the field of tissue engineering

Bonding evolution of composites fabricated via electrically assisted press bonding

Reducing fuel consumption and increasing efficiency is one of the solutions that humanity has adopted to reduce costs caused by fuel consumption in all industries, including the transportation industry. An effective solution to improve practical fuel consumption is to reduce weight. In principle, press bonding (PB), which is done using a press and is a solid-state welding process, can create a bond between parts with different materials and produce materials with lighter weight and more strength. But it should also be noted that the plasticity of some materials is very low, and these materials are incapable of machinability. Electrical assistance is a potential solution that can solve this problem by increasing the flow tension and reducing the forming force. In this study, aluminum alloy 1060 bars were electrically press bonded at electricity current levels 0 Å up to 300 Å. The effect of pressing parameters on the bonding strength, such as amount of electricity current level and plastic strain, was investigated using a peeling test. Results show that more adhesive among the layers (bonding strength) was attained by growing current and reducing thickness. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was investigated the peeling surface of samples versus the different thickness reduction ratios and electric currents. The Joule heating effect in the electrically-assisted in press bonding (EAPB) process decreases the forming strength of bars and increases the bond strength of bonded bars by about three times. Using SEM, the peeling surface of samples and the fracture surface around the interface after the tensile test were studied to investigate the bonding quality

Gold Nanocomposite Bioink for Printing 3D Cardiac Constructs

Bioprinting is the most convenient microfabrication method to create biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) cardiac tissue constructs, that can be used to regenerate damaged tissue and provide platforms for drug screening. However, existing bioinks, which are usually composed of polymeric biomaterials, are poorly conductive and delay efficient electrical coupling between adjacent cardiac cells. To solve this problem, a gold nanorod (GNR)-incorporated gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)- based bioink is developed for printing 3D functional cardiac tissue constructs. The GNR concentration is adjusted to create a proper microenvironment for the spreading and organization of cardiac cells. At optimized concentrations of GNR, the nanocomposite bioink has a low viscosity, similar to pristine inks, which allows for the easy integration of cells at high densities. As a result, rapid deposition of cell-laden fibers at a high resolution is possible, while reducing shear stress on the encapsulated cells. In the printed GNR constructs, cardiac cells show improved cell adhesion and organization when compared to the constructs without GNRs. Furthermore, the incorporated GNRs bridge the electrically resistant pore walls of polymers, improve the cell-to-cell coupling, and promote synchronized contraction of the bioprinted constructs. Given its advantageous properties, this gold nanocomposite bioink may find wide application in cardiac tissue engineering

Gold Nanocomposite Bioink for Printing 3D Cardiac Constructs

Bioprinting is the most convenient microfabrication method to create biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) cardiac tissue constructs, that can be used to regenerate damaged tissue and provide platforms for drug screening. However, existing bioinks, which are usually composed of polymeric biomaterials, are poorly conductive and delay efficient electrical coupling between adjacent cardiac cells. To solve this problem, a gold nanorod (GNR)-incorporated gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)- based bioink is developed for printing 3D functional cardiac tissue constructs. The GNR concentration is adjusted to create a proper microenvironment for the spreading and organization of cardiac cells. At optimized concentrations of GNR, the nanocomposite bioink has a low viscosity, similar to pristine inks, which allows for the easy integration of cells at high densities. As a result, rapid deposition of cell-laden fibers at a high resolution is possible, while reducing shear stress on the encapsulated cells. In the printed GNR constructs, cardiac cells show improved cell adhesion and organization when compared to the constructs without GNRs. Furthermore, the incorporated GNRs bridge the electrically resistant pore walls of polymers, improve the cell-to-cell coupling, and promote synchronized contraction of the bioprinted constructs. Given its advantageous properties, this gold nanocomposite bioink may find wide application in cardiac tissue engineering

Nanostructured Fibrous Membranes with Rose Spike-Like Architecture

Nanoparticles have been used for engineering composite materials to improve the intrinsic properties and/or add functionalities to pristine polymers. The majority of the studies have focused on the incorporation of spherical nanoparticles within the composite fibers. Herein, we incorporate anisotropic branched-shaped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles into fibrous scaffolds fabricated by electrospinning. The addition of the branched particles resulted in their protrusion from fibers, mimicking the architecture of a rose stem. We demonstrated that the encapsulation of different-shape particles significantly influences the physicochemical and biological activities of the resultant composite scaffolds. In particular, the branched nanoparticles induced heterogeneous crystallization of the polymeric matrix and enhance the ultimate mechanical strain and strength. Moreover, the three-dimensional (3D) nature of the branched ZnO nanoparticles enhanced adhesion properties of the composite scaffolds to the tissues. In addition, the rose stem-like constructs offered excellent antibacterial activity, while supporting the growth of eukaryote cells