Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

10:51
Microfluidic Fabrication of Core-Shell Microcapsules carrying Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids
Published on: October 13, 2021
Organic-inorganic double shell composite microcapsules
Yue Long1, Brian Vincent, David York
1School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UKB15 2TT.
Summary
Researchers developed new double shell composite microcapsules. These microcapsules feature a melamine formaldehyde polymer inner shell and a calcium carbonate nanoparticle outer shell for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Composite microcapsules offer unique properties for various applications.
- Developing microcapsules with distinct inner and outer shells presents fabrication challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel double shell composite microcapsules.
- To characterize the structure and properties of the fabricated microcapsules.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ polymerization for melamine formaldehyde (MF) inner shell formation.
- Employed a method to create a ripened calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticle outer shell.
- Integrated MF polymer shell formation within pre-existing CaCO3 nanoparticle microcapsule walls.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared double shell composite microcapsules with MF inner and CaCO3 nanoparticle outer shells.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of forming the MF polymer shell within the CaCO3 nanoparticle wall.
- Characterized the resulting composite structure, highlighting the double shell integrity.
Conclusions:
- The in situ polymerization method is effective for creating novel MF/CaCO3 double shell composite microcapsules.
- These microcapsules hold potential for applications requiring tailored encapsulation and controlled release.
- Further research can explore the functionalization and specific applications of these advanced composite materials.
Related Concept Videos
COP Coated Vesicles
Membrane-enclosed structures called vesicles transport proteins and lipids across the cell. The vesicles derive their cargo from the plasma membrane, Golgi, ER, or endosome. Coated vesicles are spherical, protein-coated carriers with a 50–100 nm diameter that mediate bidirectional transport between the ER and the Golgi. The distribution of proteins between the ER and Golgi complex is dynamic and is maintained by different coated vesicles. Their formation is driven by the assembly of different...
Micelles
Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

