One of the major challenges in regenerative medicine is the ability to recreate the stem cell niche, which is defined by its signaling molecules, the creation of cytokine gradients, and the modulation of matrix stiffness. A wide range of scaffolds has been developed in order to recapitulate the stem cell niche, among them hydrogels. This paper reports the development of a new silk-alginate base...

A genipin-cross-linked chitosan/graphene oxide (GCS/GO) composite film was prepared using a solution casting method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy of the composite films showed that the interactions between the CS and oxygen-containing groups of GO resulted in good dispersion of the GO sheets in the CS network. The addition of GO decreased the e...

In this study, we develop binary polypropylene (PP) composites with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoplatelets and ternary hybrids reinforced with hBN and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA). Filler hybridization is a sound approach to make novel nanocomposites with useful biological and mechanical properties. Tensile test, osteoblastic cell culture and dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay...

The work presented in this paper was undertaken as part of BIOCOMP (2005-2008), a European collaborative project, which developed new classes of engineering composite materials from renewable resources. Comprising twenty five European SMEs and research organisations, this three and a half year project generated a wide range of new biocomposite materials, knowledge-based processes and demonstrat...

Searching for materials to provide proper housing with less emission and low energy becomes an urgent demand with the ever-growing population. Bamboo has gained a reputation as an ecofriendly, highly renewable source of material. Parallel Strand Bamboo (PSB) is a new biocomposite made of bamboo strips which has superiority performances than wood products. It has attracted considerable interests...

The fabrication, evaluation and attractive performance of multiwall carbon nanotube(MWCNT)/polysulfone biocomposite membrane modified thick-film screen-printed electrochemical biosensors are reported. The fabricated carbon nanotube/polysulfone (CNT/PS) strips combine the attractive advantages of carbon nanotube materials, polysulfone matrix and disposable screen-printed electrodes. Such thick-f...

This study focused on the development of gelatin-based films with incorporation of microcrystalline cellulose as reinforcement material. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), and black pepper (Piper nigrum) oleoresins containing antimicrobial compounds of natural origin were incorporated into the films. The mechanical, thermal, optical, and structural properties, as well as ...

The present research attempt consists in the development of mesoporous hydroxyapatite using inexpensive ingredients using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as template through a chemical-based hydrothermal method. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the formation of pure single-phased hydroxyapatite particles. Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron dif...