Melt Electrospun 3D Scaffold

Abstract

Melt electrospinning is a processing technique to produce fibers and fibrous structures from polymer melts in the range of nanometers to few micrometers. This advanced technique is used to design and build pre-determined porous scaffolds, which depends on the instrument parameters and solvent properties: fiber diameter, uniformity of the fibers, solution viscosity, flow rate, tip to collector distance, ambient parameters. The main limitations of the regular electrospinning process lies in the fiber diameter in the undesired range and formation of beads or pores in the structure due to the solution viscosity, making fibers non-uniform. My research is to develop a modified melt electrospinning system using Newport actuators for controlling the scaffolds in the three dimensions within the range of ten microns. Selecting a suitable biocompatible, biodegradable chemical solution, also determines the feasibility of the system. Different solutions such as Calcium Phosphate cement (CPC), Polycaprolactone (PCL) with acetone were tried with various concentrations, the viscosity of the experimental solutions were tested using the Bohlin Rheometer. Arduino programmed stepper motor syringe pump system is used to control the ejection of fluid to maintain constant flow rate, preventing the formation of any non-uniformities. The whole system is enclosed for optimal performance of the UV light, accelerating the normal curing time of the solution.