The structure and mechanical properties of bio-nanocomposite films made from poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) that is physically cross-linked with silicate nanoparticles, Laponite, are investigated. Direction-dependent mechanical properties of the films are presented, and the effect of shear orientation during sample preparation on tensile strength and elongation is assessed. Repeated mechanical defo...

The demand for robust hydrogels in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and industrial applications has motivated intense research efforts in these wet polymeric materials. Recent advances have resulted in different strategies for creating highly stretchable polymeric hydrogels, including sliding-ring gels (SR gels), nanocomposite gels (NC gels), doublenetwork gels (DN gels), macromolecular microsphere ...

Advanced materials that are highly biocompatible and easily modifiable with biomolecules are of great importance for bio-interfacing and the development of biodevices. Here, a biocompatible conducting polymer based nanocomposite was electrochemically synthesized through the electropolymerization of poly(3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) as the only dop...

Taesik Chae, Heejae Yang, Frank Ko, Tom Troczynski. Materials Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4 Statement of Purpose: Aging of population increases the need for human organ/tissue repairs. Autografts supply, however, has limitation, and allografts may cause the risk of disease transmission and anti-immunization response. One of the alternatives...

BACKGROUND Nanoparticles have a large number of surface atoms, which translates into a significant increase in the surface energy. Once introduced in a biological environment they tend to interact with proteins and form a protein corona shell. The aim of this study was to develop a novel, silver based, bio-nanocomposite for biological applications. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecule was chosen for...

kefiran is an exopolysaccharide produced by microorganisms present in the kefir grains that has several health promoting properties. in this research, physico-mechanical and thermal characteristics of nanocomposite film composed of kefiran-montmorillonite (mmt; 1, 3 and 5% w/w) were studied. results showed that the thickness and the tensile strength of the films increased by increasing the nano...

The addition of chitosan to silicate (Laponite) cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is used for tuning nanocomposite material properties and tailoring cellular adhesion and bioactivity. By combining the characteristics of chitosan (which promotes cell adhesion and growth, antimicrobial) with properties of PEO (prevents protein and cell adhesion) and those of Laponite (bioactive), the result...