Flexible Asymmetric Encapsulation for Dehydration-Responsive Hybrid Microfibers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Alginate microfibers are versatile materials.
• Asymmetric encapsulation presents unique challenges and opportunities.
• Controlled release systems are crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new class of smart alginate microfibers with asymmetric oil encapsulates.
• To demonstrate the tunable morphology and asymmetry of these fibers.
• To explore their potential for triggered cargo release.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of alginate fibers via co-axial injection into calcium chloride solution.
• Asymmetric loading of oil encapsulates using eccentrically aligned inner capillaries.
• Tuning fiber asymmetry by controlling oil encapsulate size, location, and frequency.
• Investigating dehydration-induced release and on-demand stabilization of encapsulates.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced asymmetric alginate microfibers with tunable morphology.
• Demonstrated dehydration-sensitive triggered release of oil encapsulates below a critical hydration level.
• Showcased the ability to switch off triggered release by stabilizing the oil encapsulates.
• Confirmed the capability for parallel carrying and releasing of multiple cargos.
• Found that fibers with equal-sized spheres exhibited higher asymmetry and tensile strength.

Conclusions:

• The developed asymmetric alginate microfibers offer a novel platform for controlled material delivery.
• Their tunable nature and triggered release mechanisms open new avenues for smart material applications.
• These fibers demonstrate significant potential in areas where conventional symmetric fibers are inadequate.