Project description:Biomaterials developed to treat bone defects have classically focused on bone healing via direct, intramembranous ossification. In contrast, most bones in our body develop from a cartilage template via a second pathway called endochondral ossification. The unsolved clinical challenge to regenerate large bone defects has brought endochondral ossification into discussion as an alternative approach for bone healing. However, a biomaterial strategy for the regeneration of large bone defects via endochondral ossification is missing. Here we report on a biomaterial with a channel-like pore architecture to control cell recruitment and tissue patterning in the early phase of healing. In consequence of extracellular matrix alignment, CD146+ progenitor cell accumulation and restrained vascularization, a highly organized endochondral ossification process is induced in rats. Our findings demonstrate that a pure biomaterial approach has the potential to recapitulate a developmental bone growth process for bone healing. This might motivate future strategies for biomaterial-based tissue regeneration.
Project description:The development of self-healing rubbers is currently under investigation as a strategy to promote their reuse and, hence, reduce their waste. However, autonomous, multicycle self-healing rubbers with good mechanical properties have so far proven difficult to achieve. Here, mechanically robust composites based on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) were successfully designed and prepared with a high healing efficiency of up to 85% at room temperature without applying external stimuli. The incorporation of TRGO not only improves the mechanical performance in more than 100% in relation to pristine ENR but also promotes the hydrogen bonding interactions with the rubber. This leads to a homogenous dispersion of TRGO within the ENR matrix, which further increases its self-healing capability.
Project description:Soft thermoplastic elastomers with increased durability and reliability are in high demand for a broad spectrum of applications. Silicone elastomers are soft and durable, but they are not thermoplastic in nature, and under extreme conditions such as high voltage or large deformations, reliability may also suffer. Thus, as a solution to these shortcomings, which are typical of silicone elastomers, it is natural to propose a thermo-reversible, self-healing, and recyclable silicone-based elastomer. Stimuli-responsivity is imparted to the silicone polymer by incorporating supramolecular 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidone (UPy) self-assembling motifs via free radical polymerisation. Self-healing of the novel elastomer may be triggered by both direct and indirect heating, the latter by means of incorporating Fe3O4 particles into the elastomer and subsequent exposure to an alternating magnetic field. As a consequence of temperature responsiveness and high thermal stability, the elastomer is proven recyclable, by withstanding multiple reprocessing procedures with no substantial effects on the resulting properties. The synergy of these valuable characteristics makes this novel material a smart candidate for innumerable applications where soft and reliable elastomers are sought.
Project description:Herein, we report a novel design and the antimicrobial efficacy of a flexible nitric oxide (NO) releasing patch for potential wound healing applications. The compact sized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) planar patch generates NO via electrochemical reduction of nitrite ions mediated by a copper(II)-ligand catalyst using a portable power system and an internal gold coated stainless steel mesh working electrode. Patches are fabricated via soft lithography and 3-D printing. The devices can continuously release NO over 4 days and exhibit potent bactericidal effects on both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The device may provide an effective, safe, and less costly alternative for treating chronic wounds.
Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the usefulness of addition type liquid silicone rubber (ATLSR) as injectable implant after evisceration to maintain the eyeball volume in an animal experiment.MethodsTwelve adult New Zealand white rabbits were included. One eye of each rabbit was randomly selected for evisceration with the fellow eye as control. ATLSR was injected to fill the eyeball socket after evisceration. In vivo observation and photographs were performed up to 24 weeks post-op. Two rabbits were sacrificed respectively at post-operative week 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24. After enucleation, the vertical, horizontal and sagittal diameters of the experimental eyeballs were measured and compared with the control eyes. Histopathological studies were performed to evaluate signs of inflammation.ResultsCornea remained clear throughout the observation period despite mild epithelial edema and neovascularization. Compared to the control eyes, the experimental eyes were significantly smaller in vertical diameter (17.00±1.17 vs. 17.54±1.11 mm, P<0.001), but larger in sagittal diameter (16.85±1.48 vs. 16.40±1.38 mm, P = 0.008), and had no significant difference in horizontal diameter (17.49±1.53 vs. 17.64±1.21 mm, P = 0.34). Postoperative inflammation was observed at one week after surgery, which peaked at 2-3 weeks, then regressed gradually. At week 12 and week 24, most of the inflammatory cells disappeared with some residual plasma cells and eosinophils.ConclusionInjectable addition type silicon rubber may be a good choice for ocular implantation after evisceration, maintaining eyeball volume and cosmetically satisfactory when compared to the fellow eye. Spontaneous regression of inflammation implied good biocompatibility for at least 24 weeks.
Project description:The demand for self-healing elastomers is increasing due to the potential opportunities such materials offer in reducing down-time and cost through extended product lifetimes and reduction of waste. However, further understanding of self-healing mechanisms and processes is required in order to develop a wider range of commercially applicable materials with self-healing properties. Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) is a derivative of polyisoprene. ENR25 and ENR50 are commercially available materials with 25 and 50 mol % epoxidation, respectively. Recently, reports of the use of ENR in self-healing materials have begun to emerge. However, to date, there has been limited analysis of the self-healing mechanism at the molecular level. The aim of this work is to gain understanding of the relevant self-healing mechanisms through systematic characterization and analysis of the effect of cross-linking on the self-healing performance of ENR and natural rubber (NR). In our study, cross-linking of ENR and NR with dicumyl peroxide and sulfur to provide realistic models of commercial rubber formulations is described, and a cross-linking density of 5 × 10-5 mol cm-3 in sulfur-cured ENR is demonstrated to achieve a healing efficiency of 143% for the tensile strength. This work provides the foundation for further modification of ENR, with the goal of understanding and controlling ENR's self-healing ability for future applications.
Project description:Conductive carbon black (CCB) is an important filler in stretchable conductive silicone rubber (CSR) composites. However, due to the active oxygen-containing groups on CCB, introducing it into silicone rubber (SR) may cause SR to not completely cure. Surface modification of CCB may ease the problem but at the cost of reducing the electrical conductivity of pristine CCB. In this work, the curing and crosslinking performance of CCB/SR is detected in detail, the hydroxyl groups (-OH) carried by CCB can react with the silicon-hydrogen group (Si-H) with the existence of Pt catalyst, causing insufficiency of the hydrosilylation reaction thus hindering the solidifying process of silicon rubber. To take advantage of this reaction, more hydrogen silicone oil (PHMS) possessing silicon-hydrogen bonds is introduced into the system to improve the curing degree as well as fix the CCB in the crosslinked network. Due to the lock-in effect of CCB, the resistance of CSR samples is stable after several hundred bending cycles, and the composite's tensile strength is three times that of the pure SR samples. Besides, the size of the composites can expand to dozens of centimeters or even a few meters with uniform electric conductivity. This composite has resistance as low as 10.20 Ω and is suitable to make electroplating mold, and a rapid plating rate of 2.4 mm/24 h can be achieved. Meanwhile, the overall properties make this CSR composite have potential applications in mold manufacture, flexible electronics, and other related fields.
Project description:Vibration is a common phenomenon in various fields which can not only indicate the working condition of the installation, but also serve as an energy source if it is efficiently harvested. In this work, a robust silicone rubber strip-based triboelectric nanogenerator (SRS-TENG) for vibration energy harvesting and multi-functional self-powered sensing is proposed and systematically investigated. The SRS-TENG consists of a silicone rubber strip and two aluminum electrode layers supported by polylactic acid (PLA), and acts as a sustainable power source and vibration frequency, amplitude and acceleration sensor as well. The soft contact between the aluminum electrode and silicone rubber strip makes it robust and stable even after 14 days. It can be applied in ranges of vibration frequencies from 5 to 90 Hz, and amplitudes from 0.5 to 9 mm, which shows it has advantages in broadband vibration. Additionally, it can achieve lower startup limits due to its soft structure and being able to work in multi-mode. The output power density of the SRS-TENG can reach 94.95 W/m3, matching a resistance of 250 MΩ, and it can light up more than 100 LEDs and power a commercial temperature sensor after charging capacitors. In addition, the vibration amplitude can be successfully detected and displayed on a human-machine interface. Moreover, the frequency beyond a specific limit can be distinguished by the SRS-TENG as well. Therefore, the SRS-TENG can be utilized as an in situ power source for distributed sensor nodes and a multifunctional self-powered vibration sensor in many scenarios.
Project description:The introduction of dynamic bonds capable of mediating self-healing in a fully cross-linked polychloroprene network can only occur if the reversible moieties are carried by the cross-linker itself or within the main polymer backbone. Conventional cross-linking is not suitable for such a purpose. In the present work, a method to develop a self-healable and recyclable polychloroprene rubber is presented. Dynamic disulfide bonds are introduced as part of the structure of a crosslinker (liquid polysulfide polymer, Thiokol LP3) coupled to the polymer backbone via thermally initiated thiol-ene reaction. The curing and kinetic parameters were determined by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry and by moving die rheometer analysis; tensile testing was carried to compare the tensile strength of cured compound, healed compounds and recycled compounds, while chemical analysis was conducted by surface X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Three formulations with increasing concentrations of Thiokol LP-3 were studied (2, 4, 6 phr), reaching a maximum ultimate tensile strength of 22.4 MPa and ultimate tensile strain of 16.2 with 2 phr of Thiokol LP-3, 11.7 MPa and 10.7 strain with 4 phr and 5.6 MPa and 7.3 strain with 6 phr. The best healing efficiencies were obtained after 24 h of healing at 80 °C, increasing with the concentration of Thiokol LP-3, reaching maximum values of 4.5% 4.4% 13.4% with 2 phr, 4 phr and 6 phr, respectively, while the highest recycling efficiency was obtained with 4 phr of Thiokol LP-3, reaching 11.2%.
Project description:Smart biodegradable tough interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of bio-based polyurethane containing a silicone moiety and polystyrene at three different compositions were synthesized for the first time by using simultaneous polymerization technique. The structures of the synthesized IPNs were interpreted by FTIR, NMR, and XRD analyses, while morphology was provided from a SEM study. The synthesized IPNs exhibited outstanding elongation at break (up to 1608%) along with good tensile strength (up to 12.6 MPa), toughness (up to 92.34 MJ m-3), impact resistance (up to 26.8 kJ m-1), scratch resistance (up to 6.5 kg) and durometer hardness (up to 86 Shore A). Furthermore, the synthesized IPNs exhibited good thermal stability up to 245 °C and chemical resistance. Interestingly, these IPNs showed multi-stimuli responsive self-healing (within 62 s at 450 W microwave and 6-8 min under sunlight) and shape memory (100% shape recovery within 48 s with a 450 W microwave and 7-13 min under direct sunlight) behavior. A self-cleaning attribute was also observed for the synthesized IPNs which showed a static contact angle up to 120.8° and angle of hysteresis <5°. Most interestingly, the synthesized IPNs also exhibited moderate bio-degradation under the exposure to a P. aeruginosa bacterial strain. Therefore, the synthesized smart bio-degradable tough IPNs with the above properties have great potential for different advanced multifaceted applications.