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Master Thesis / Semester project: Development of optimized bio-polymeric nanofibers for controlled drug release
The aim of this project is to optimize production parameters for electrospun membranes to be used for wound healing. The student will produce and analyze nanofibers. The resulting fibrous membranes will be loaded with bioactive substances extracted from medicinal mushrooms
Keywords: Electrospinning, Tissue engineering, Nanotechnology, Drug release, Polymer physics, Material science
Electrospinning is a versatile method for the development of micro- to nano scaled fiber membranes from polymer solutions. The high surface to volume ratio of the yielded fibers makes them interesting candidates to be applied in filtration systems, catalysis, drug delivery and tissue engineering.
The characteristics of the electrospun fibers are thereby highly dependent on the process parameters including the spinning solution properties, the instrumental setup as well as the environmental conditions.
Electrospinning is a versatile method for the development of micro- to nano scaled fiber membranes from polymer solutions. The high surface to volume ratio of the yielded fibers makes them interesting candidates to be applied in filtration systems, catalysis, drug delivery and tissue engineering. The characteristics of the electrospun fibers are thereby highly dependent on the process parameters including the spinning solution properties, the instrumental setup as well as the environmental conditions.
- Selected chitosan based solutions are prepared and their properties (conductivity, viscosity and surface tension) are analyzed.
- The solutions are used for spinning experiments and the resulting fibers will be investigated using various techniques e.g. scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- The collected solution and fiber properties will be used in a computational optimization.
- Bioactive substances, related to medicinal mushrooms, are encapsulated and their release is optimized with respect to wound healing processes.
- Selected chitosan based solutions are prepared and their properties (conductivity, viscosity and surface tension) are analyzed. - The solutions are used for spinning experiments and the resulting fibers will be investigated using various techniques e.g. scanning electron microscopy (SEM). - The collected solution and fiber properties will be used in a computational optimization. - Bioactive substances, related to medicinal mushrooms, are encapsulated and their release is optimized with respect to wound healing processes.
Peter Bösiger, PhD candidate (peter.boesiger@empa.ch), Dr. Giuseppino Fortunato, scientist (Giuseppino.fortunato@empa.ch)
Peter Bösiger, PhD candidate (peter.boesiger@empa.ch), Dr. Giuseppino Fortunato, scientist (Giuseppino.fortunato@empa.ch)