A process optimization and release modeling of coaxial electrospun aligned core-shell poly (ethylene oxide-poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide)) nanofibers encapsulating nerve growth factor.

Recent advances in neural regeneration have demonstrated the importance of incorporating proteins into polymeric capsules to provide both topographical and biochemical cues to cells. Coaxial electrospinning has emerged as a versatile technique for embedding delicate bioactive agents within core-shell nanofibers, enabling controlled and sustained drug release. In this study, we employed a design-of-experiment approach to systematically investigate how controllable parameters in coaxial electrospinning influence the diameter and size distribution of aligned poly (ethylene oxide-poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanofibers loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF).

Organic Semiconductor Nanotubes for Electrochemical Devices.

Electrochemical devices that transform electrical energy to mechanical energy through an electrochemical process have numerous applications ranging from soft robotics and micropumps to autofocus microlenses and bioelectronics. To date, achievement of large deformation strains and fast response times remains a challenge for electrochemical actuator devices operating in liquid wherein drag forces restrict the actuator motion and electrode materials/structures limit the ion transportation and accumulation. We report results for electrochemical actuators, electrochemical mass transfers, and electrochemical dynamics made from organic semiconductors (OSNTs).

Conducting Polymer Microtubes for Bioactuators.

Conducting polymer (CP) actuators are promising devices for biomedical applications such as artificial muscles and drug delivery systems. Here, we report a tri-layer actuator based on poly(pyrrole) (PPy) microtubes (PPy MTs) doped with poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and constructed on a passive layer of gold-coated poly-propylene (PP) film. The PPy MTs were fabricated using electrochemical deposition of PPy around poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fiber templates, followed by template removal.

Electrospinning of Highly Aligned Fibers for Drug Delivery Applications.

Electrospinning is a straightforward, cost-effective, and versatile technique for fabrication of polymeric micro/nanofibers with tunable structural properties. Controlling the size, shape, and spatial orientation of the electrospun fibers is crucial for utilization in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. In this study, for the first time, we systematically investigate the effect of processing parameters, including voltage, syringe needle gauge, angular velocity of rotating wheel, syringe-collector distance, and flow rate on the size and alignment of electrospun PLGA fibers.

Direct Measurement of Mass Transport in Actuation of Conducting Polymers Nanotubes.

Nanostructured Conducting polymer (CP) actuators are promising materials for biomedical applications such as drug release systems. However, understanding the actuation behavior at the nano-scale has not yet been explored. In this work, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(pyrrole) (PPy) nanotubes doped with a large counter ion (i.