Electrically conductive gel/fibers composite scaffold with graded properties.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Biological systems exhibit ubiquitous gradients, particularly at soft-to-hard tissue interfaces.
• Existing biomaterials often lack the complexity to replicate these native gradients.
• Mimicking these gradients is crucial for advanced regenerative medicine and tissue repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a gradient fiber-hydrogel scaffold that imitates the extracellular matrix of soft-to-hard tissue interfaces.
• To develop novel methods for creating composition gradients in both fibrous and hydrogel components.
• To assess the structural integrity and gradient formation within the composite scaffold.

Main Methods:

• Gradient electrospinning using controlled mixing of conductive polymer solutions to create graded fibers.
• Ultrasound treatment to render planar graded fibers three-dimensional and gel permeable.
• Gradient mixing tool for hydrogel precursor solutions to achieve composition gradients.
• Self-crosslinking of graded precursor solution onto gradient 3D fibers.
• Characterization using microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical analysis, and conductivity measurements.

Main Results:

• Gradient electrospinning resulted in fibers with gradual changes in diameter, electrical conductivity, and other attributes.
• The gradient hydrogel apparatus produced a steady increase in crosslinking, yielding hydrogel with graded features.
• The composite scaffold demonstrated successful integration of fibrous and gel components without compromising individual gradient structures.
• Characterization confirmed the formation and presence of gradients in both fiber and hydrogel phases.

Conclusions:

• A novel gradient fiber-hydrogel scaffold was successfully fabricated, mimicking soft-to-hard tissue interfaces.
• The developed methods for gradient electrospinning and hydrogel formation are effective.
• The composite scaffold offers a promising platform for applications requiring biomimetic gradients, with potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.