Biodegradable free-standing nanomembranes of conducting polymer:polyester blends as bioactive platforms for tissue engineering

The present study reports the fabrication of free-standing nanomembranes with semiconducting and biodegradable properties. Nanomembranes have been prepared by spin-coating mixtures of a semiconducting polythiophene derivative, poly(3-thiophene methyl acetate), and a biodegradable polyester, poly(tetramethylene succinate). Both the roughness and thickness of the nanomembranes, which ranged from 3 to 20 nm and from 20 to 80 nm, respectively, were precisely controlled through the spin-coater speed and the solvent evaporation properties. Nanomembranes made of conducting polymer/polyester blends, which are able to retain the properties of the individual polymers, are stable in air and in ethanol solution for more than one year, facilitating their manipulation. Enzymatic degradation essays indicated that the ultra-thin films are biodegradable due to the presence of the aliphatic polyester. Interestingly, adhesion and proliferation assays with epithelial cells revealed that the behavior of the blend as cellular matrix is superior to that of the two individual polymers, validating the use of the nanomembranes as bioactive substrates for tissue regeneration.222585594MICINNFEDER [MAT2009-09138, MAT2009-11513]DIUE of the Generalitat de Catalunya [2009SGR925, 2009SGR1208, XRQTC]Euro Brazilian Windows agency [41309-EM-1-2008-PT-ERAMUNDUS-ECW-L16]FPU-UPCGeneralitat de CatalunyaFEDER [MAT2009-09138, MAT2009-11513]DIUE of the Generalitat de Catalunya [2009SGR925, 2009SGR1208, XRQTC]Euro Brazilian Windows agency [41309-EM-1-2008-PT-ERAMUNDUS-ECW-L16

Electroless Ni-P deposition over polyvinylidene fluoride thin films with wet acid treatment

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is a very versatile polymer with enough potential to provide a great development in materials science and technology, due to its piezoelectricity, low energy surface, low cost, flexibility, mechanical and chemical resistances. For electrical applications, like piezoelectric sensors and actuators, for example, PVDF surface metallization is essential. This paper describes an alternative metallization method, called electroless nickel-phosphorus deposition (Ni-P), in PVDF films deposited on glass substrate with some geometric structures fabricated by Photolithography. After a wet pre-treatment to improve adherence, electroless contact layer is deposited over PVDF masked by photolithography, using the lift-off technique. This process combination is very versatile, simple and gives good results, related to the Ni-P adhesion on PVDF surface and to the pattern resolution of photolithographic structures. Chemical composition of the alloyed film were measured by SEM/EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy), the PVDF surface treatment was examined using Infrared Spectroscopy and the resolution of Ni-P deposition evaluated by the Scanning Electron Microscope. This work opens a possibility of a new metallization technique for PVDF piezoelectric devices.741984891894Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Preparation and characterization of PVDF/CaCO3 composites

The contribution of new materials, involving composites and blends, has been reaching the most varied fields of science, as much of the scientific as technological point of view. This is due to the man's needs in applications, especially in medicine areas. Thus, this work shows the preparation and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) Composite films in order to analyse the incorporation of CaCO3 in PVDF for future application in bony restoration and bony filling. The films were prepared by casting method, where the PVDF pellet shape was dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMA) and in a separate container CaCO3/DMA emulsion was also made. Soon afterwards they were mixed in several proportions 100/00, 95/05, 85/15, 70/30 in weight and left to dry in greenhouse. Homogeneous and flexible films were obtained and structurally characterized by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR), thermal analyses (DSC, TGA), X-ray diffractometry, optical and scanning electron microscopies. The results showed that the material was a composite with good thermal stability until around 400 degrees C, the crystallinity of PVDF was non-polar alpha-phase and the obtained films were porous, being these filled with CaCO3. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.1364170012312

Hydroxyapatite deposition study through polymeric process on commercially pure Ti surfaces modified by laser beam irradiation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Many techniques have been used to coat metallic substrate with bioceramics. The aim of this study was to study the physical-chemical characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (alpha-PVDF)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite coating, obtained by casting method, on commercially pure titanium (alpha-CP Ti) substrate surface modified by laser beam irradiation. The preparation of coating was done for mixing alpha-PVDF pellets shape dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMA) with HA/DMA emulsion. The mixture was poured onto the alpha-CP Ti sample and left to dry in an oven. CP Ti plates were coated with alpha-PVDF/HA composite film, in proportions of 100/00 and 60/40 in weight, and characterized by particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometry, thickness measurement and contact angle. Uniform coating with a small thickness variation along the coated surface was successfully obtained.441540564061Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Electronic properties of poly(thiophene-3-methyl acetate)

The electronic structure of poly(thiophene-3-methyl acetate) has been investigated using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and quantum mechanical calculations. Experimental measures in chloroform solution indicate that the pi-conjugation length increases with the polymer concentration, which is reflected by the red shift of the absorbance peak of the pi-pi* transition. On the other hand, the energy required for the pi-pi* transition has been found to decrease with the volatility of the solvent for concentrated polymer solutions, even though the influence of the solvent is very small for dilute solutions. Quantum mechanical calculations indicate that the interactions between the pi-conjugated backbone and the methyl acetate side groups are very weak. On the other hand, the lowest energy transition predicted for an infinite polymer chain that adopts the anti-gauche and all-anti conformations is 2.8 and 1.9 eV, respectively. Finally, measurements on spin-casted nanofilms reflect that the pi-pi* transition energy increases with the thickness, which has been attributed to the distortion of the molecular conformation. In spite of this, the energy gap obtained for the thinnest film (1.52 eV) is significantly smaller than that determined for dilute and concentrated chloroform solutions (2.56 and 2.09 eV, respectively).18615091517MICINNFEDER [MAT2009-09138]Generalitat de Catalunya [SGR 925]Euro Brasilian Windows agency [41309-EM-1-2008-PT-ERAMUNDUS-ECW-L16]Generalitat de CatalunyaICREA AcademiaFEDER [MAT2009-09138]Generalitat de Catalunya [SGR 925]Euro Brasilian Windows agency [41309-EM-1-2008-PT-ERAMUNDUS-ECW-L16

A apropriação e uso de conhecimentos de gestão para a mudança de cultura na enfermagem como disciplina

Reflexão acerca da possibilidade do uso de conhecimentos de gestão no processo do trabalho em saúde, apresentando aspectos gerais do processo gerencial e considerações sobre o trabalho da enfermagem no contexto geral do trabalho em saúde e elementos da cultura organizacional e suas implicações no contexto do trabalho da Enfermagem. A manutenção do modelo de gerência tradicional como o principal norteador da organização do trabalho na área da saúde vem inibindo a produção da Disciplina Enfermagem. Urge, na Enfermagem, que se propiciem aos trabalhadores possibilidades para criar, desenvolver, usar novas ferramentas e tecnologias para gerenciar o processo de trabalho, encontrar formas criativas e inovadoras de produzir e viver, ter qualidade de vida pessoal e profissional, ser ético/estético, dentre outros. Apropriar–se e utilizar conhecimentos acerca das diferentes formas de gerenciar o processo de produção no trabalho apresenta–se como uma importante estratégia capaz de propiciar o desenvolvimento da Enfermagem como disciplina.This project is a reflection concerning the possibility of using management knowledge in the process of health care work, presenting general aspects of the management process and considerations about nursing work in the general context of health care work, and elements of the organizational culture and their implications in the context of Nursing work. The maintenance of the traditional management model as the main orientation of work organization in health care has been inhibiting production within the academic area of Nursing. It urges, in Nursing, that workers are given possibilities to create, develop, and use new tools and technologies to manage the work process; to find creative and innovative forms to produce and to live, attaining satisfactory quality of life in personal and professional ways, and being ethical/aesthetic, amongst others. Taking possession and using knowledge concerning the different forms of managing the productive process in work is presented as an important strategy capable of making possible the development of Nursing as a subject.Este trabajo es una reflexión acerca de la posibilidad del uso de conocimientos de gestión en el proceso del trabajo en el área de la salud, presentando aspectos generales del proceso administrativo y las consideraciones sobre el trabajo de la enfermería en el contexto general del trabajo en la salud y los elementos de la cultura organizativa y sus implicaciones en el contexto del trabajo de la Enfermería. El mantenimiento del modelo de la gerencia tradicional como el principal orientador de la organización del trabajo en el área de la salud viene cohibiendo la producción de la Asignatura de Enfermería. Es urgente, en la Enfermería, que se propicien en los trabajadores las debidas posibilidades para crear, desarrollar, usar nuevas herramientas y tecnologías para administrar el proceso de trabajo, encontrar formas creativas e innovadoras de producir y vivir, tener calidad de vida personal y profesional, ser ético/estético, entre otros. Apropiarse y utilizar conocimientos acerca de las diferentes formas de administrar el proceso de producción en el trabajo se presenta como una importante estrategia capaz de deparar y proporcionar el desarrollo de la Enfermería como una asignatura