The creation of biomimetic cell environments with micro and nanoscale topographical features resembling native tissues is critical for tissue engineering. To address this challenge, this study focuses on an innovative...The creation of biomimetic cell environments with micro and nanoscale topographical features resembling native tissues is critical for tissue engineering. To address this challenge, this study focuses on an innovative electrospinning strategy that adopts a symmetrically divergent electric field to induce rapid self-assembly of aligned polycaprolactone(PCL) nanofibers into a centimeter-scale architecture between separately grounded bevels. The 3D microstructures of the nanofiber scaffolds were characterized through a series of sectioning in both vertical and horizontal directions. PCL/collagen(type I)nanofiber scaffolds with different density gradients were incorporated in sodium alginate hydrogels and subjected to elemental analysis. Human fibroblasts were seeded onto the scaffolds and cultured for 7 days. Our studies showed that the inclination angle of the collector had significant effects on nanofiber attributes, including the mean diameter, density gradient, and alignment gradient. The fiber density and alignment at the peripheral area of the 45°-collector decreased by 21% and 55%, respectively, along the z-axis,while those of the 60°-collector decreased by 71% and 60%, respectively. By altering the geometry of the conductive areas on the collecting bevels, polyhedral and cylindrical scaffolds composed of aligned fibers were directly fabricated. By using a four-bevel collector, the nanofibers formed a matrix of microgrids with a density of 11%. The gradient of nitrogen-to-carbon ratio in the scaffold-incorporated hydrogel was consistent with the nanofiber density gradient. The scaffolds provided biophysical stimuli to facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, and morphogenesis in 3D.展开更多
We present a review of the principal developments in the evolution and synergism of solute and particle migration in a liquid melt in high-gradient magnetic fields and we also describe their effects on the solidificat...We present a review of the principal developments in the evolution and synergism of solute and particle migration in a liquid melt in high-gradient magnetic fields and we also describe their effects on the solidification microstructure of alloys.Diverse areas relevant to various aspects of theory and applications of high-gradient magnetic field-controlled migration of solutes and particles are surveyed.They include introduction,high-gradient magnetic field effects,migration behavior of solute and particles in high-gradient magnetic fields,microstructure evolution induced by high-gradient magnetic fieldcontrolled migrations of solute and particles,and properties of materials modified by high-gradient magnetic field-tailored microstructure.Selected examples of binary and multiphase alloy systems are presented and examined,with the main focus on the correlation between the high-gradient magnetic field-modified migration and the related solidification microstructure evolution.Particular attention is given to the mechanisms responsible for the microstructure evolution induced by highgradient magnetic fields.展开更多
gradient aluminum alloy was prepared by semi-continuous casting using double-stream-pouring technique. The microstructures of the as-cast, pressed and heat-treated alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscope ...gradient aluminum alloy was prepared by semi-continuous casting using double-stream-pouring technique. The microstructures of the as-cast, pressed and heat-treated alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. And the mechanical properties of the alloy in pressed and heat-treated states were studied. The results show that the ingots with diameter of 65 mm and external thickness (about) 5.5 mm are obtained when the temperatures of the melt in the internal and external ladles are 1 023 and 1 003 K, respectively, and the nozzle diameter is 2.0 mm. The microstructures of the as-cast alloy consist of α(Al)+(θ(CuAl2))+S(Al2CuMg) in the internal region and (α(Al)+MnAl6) in the external region. The phases found in the internal and external layers coexist in the transition zone. The transition layer is maintained after plastic deformation and heat treatment of the alloy. The tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the alloy are 300 MPa, 132 MPa and 16.0%, respectively, after T6 treatment. The tensile and yield strength are increased by 150.0% and (94.1%,) respectively, compared with that of 3003 aluminum alloy. The maximum hardness in the internal region of 2024/3003 gradient aluminum alloy can be increased from HRF 55 in the pressed state to HRF 70 in the heat-treated state.展开更多
基金financially supported by the Foundation of the Whitacre College of Engineering and the Office of Vice President for Research at Texas Tech University
文摘The creation of biomimetic cell environments with micro and nanoscale topographical features resembling native tissues is critical for tissue engineering. To address this challenge, this study focuses on an innovative electrospinning strategy that adopts a symmetrically divergent electric field to induce rapid self-assembly of aligned polycaprolactone(PCL) nanofibers into a centimeter-scale architecture between separately grounded bevels. The 3D microstructures of the nanofiber scaffolds were characterized through a series of sectioning in both vertical and horizontal directions. PCL/collagen(type I)nanofiber scaffolds with different density gradients were incorporated in sodium alginate hydrogels and subjected to elemental analysis. Human fibroblasts were seeded onto the scaffolds and cultured for 7 days. Our studies showed that the inclination angle of the collector had significant effects on nanofiber attributes, including the mean diameter, density gradient, and alignment gradient. The fiber density and alignment at the peripheral area of the 45°-collector decreased by 21% and 55%, respectively, along the z-axis,while those of the 60°-collector decreased by 71% and 60%, respectively. By altering the geometry of the conductive areas on the collecting bevels, polyhedral and cylindrical scaffolds composed of aligned fibers were directly fabricated. By using a four-bevel collector, the nanofibers formed a matrix of microgrids with a density of 11%. The gradient of nitrogen-to-carbon ratio in the scaffold-incorporated hydrogel was consistent with the nanofiber density gradient. The scaffolds provided biophysical stimuli to facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, and morphogenesis in 3D.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51425401,51690161,51574073,and 51774086)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(Grant Nos.N170902002 and N170908001)Liaoning Innovative Research Team in University,China(Grant No.LT2017011)
文摘We present a review of the principal developments in the evolution and synergism of solute and particle migration in a liquid melt in high-gradient magnetic fields and we also describe their effects on the solidification microstructure of alloys.Diverse areas relevant to various aspects of theory and applications of high-gradient magnetic field-controlled migration of solutes and particles are surveyed.They include introduction,high-gradient magnetic field effects,migration behavior of solute and particles in high-gradient magnetic fields,microstructure evolution induced by high-gradient magnetic fieldcontrolled migrations of solute and particles,and properties of materials modified by high-gradient magnetic field-tailored microstructure.Selected examples of binary and multiphase alloy systems are presented and examined,with the main focus on the correlation between the high-gradient magnetic field-modified migration and the related solidification microstructure evolution.Particular attention is given to the mechanisms responsible for the microstructure evolution induced by highgradient magnetic fields.
文摘gradient aluminum alloy was prepared by semi-continuous casting using double-stream-pouring technique. The microstructures of the as-cast, pressed and heat-treated alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. And the mechanical properties of the alloy in pressed and heat-treated states were studied. The results show that the ingots with diameter of 65 mm and external thickness (about) 5.5 mm are obtained when the temperatures of the melt in the internal and external ladles are 1 023 and 1 003 K, respectively, and the nozzle diameter is 2.0 mm. The microstructures of the as-cast alloy consist of α(Al)+(θ(CuAl2))+S(Al2CuMg) in the internal region and (α(Al)+MnAl6) in the external region. The phases found in the internal and external layers coexist in the transition zone. The transition layer is maintained after plastic deformation and heat treatment of the alloy. The tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the alloy are 300 MPa, 132 MPa and 16.0%, respectively, after T6 treatment. The tensile and yield strength are increased by 150.0% and (94.1%,) respectively, compared with that of 3003 aluminum alloy. The maximum hardness in the internal region of 2024/3003 gradient aluminum alloy can be increased from HRF 55 in the pressed state to HRF 70 in the heat-treated state.