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Thesis
Hierarchically Ordered Polymer Nanofibers for Biomimetic Applications
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4244
Abstract
Traditionally, bone replacement technologies are designed to overcome deficiencies from a micro or macro-scale. However, at the nanoscale bone has a hierarchical structure comprised of ordered collagen fibers with regularly spaced mineralized regions. Macroscopic features are dependent on the ordered structure of the collagen-fiber, mineral, and organic protein complex. By optimizing bone replacements material from the nanoscale, better regenerative therapies for diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and other disease can be found. The motivation of this project is to develop a bone-replacement composite that mimics the ordered structure of bone from the nanoscale up. Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is an ideal candidate for this purpose due to its high strength, biocompatibility, and bioresorbable properties. By combining electrospinning and polymer solution crystallization techniques, hierarchically-ordered polymer structures called nanofiber shish kebabs (NFSK) can be created. For the first time tunable PLLA NFSK were successfully created. These were effectively mineralized to fabricate a nanoscale PLLA-hydroxyapatite (HA) composite, where the distribution of the mineral nanocrystals can be controlled. The resulting structures exhibit nanoscale periodicity, increased crystallinity, and enhanced 3-D porosity, all of which are ideal for bone applications.
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Details
- Title
- Hierarchically Ordered Polymer Nanofibers for Biomimetic Applications
- Creators
- Nasreen Khan - DU
- Contributors
- Christopher Y. Li (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials (Science and) Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4244; 991014632932604721