Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
07:38
Microfluidic Fabrication of Polymeric and Biohybrid Fibers with Predesigned Size and Shape
Published on: January 8, 2014
9.2K
Bioinspired Polymeric Helical and Superhelical Microfibers via Microfluidic Spinning
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, State-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|April 11, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a new microfluidic spinning method to create controlled helical and superhelical microfibers from various polymers. These structures show potential for biomimicking applications and advanced elastic microactuators.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Helical and superhelical structures are crucial for tissue function and have potential in biomimicking applications.
- Fabricating these complex structures from diverse polymers remains a significant challenge.
- Controlled generation of microfibers with tunable helical and superhelical architectures is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel and versatile microfluidic spinning strategy.
- To enable the controlled fabrication of helical and superhelical microfibers.
- To explore the potential applications of these engineered microstructures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a microfluidic spinning technique.
- Fabricated microfibers from hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic polymers.
- Precisely controlled microfiber diameter, wavelength, and amplitude.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated both helical and superhelical microfibers.
- Demonstrated high control over microfiber dimensions (diameter, wavelength, amplitude).
- Helical microfibers exhibited outstanding elongation properties.
Conclusions:
- The microfluidic spinning strategy offers a versatile approach for creating complex polymer microstructures.
- The developed method allows for precise control over helical and superhelical microfiber morphology.
- These findings open avenues for new biomimicking materials and applications, such as magnetic responsive elastic microactuators.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
1.5K
In bromoethane, the three methyl protons are coupled to the two methylene protons that are three bonds away. In accordance with the n+1 rule, the signal from the methyl protons is split into three peaks with 1:2:1 relative intensities. The methylene protons appear as a quartet, with the relative intensities of 1:3:3:1.
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
1.5K
01:08NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
3.0K
The spin state of an NMR-active nucleus can have a slight effect on its immediate electronic environment. This effect propagates through the intervening bonds and affects the electronic environments of NMR-active nuclei up to three bonds away; occasionally, even farther. This phenomenon is called spin–spin coupling or J-coupling. Coupling interactions are mutual and result in small changes in the absorption frequencies of both nuclei involved. While nuclei of the same element are involved...
3.0K
01:17Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
1.5K
Coupling interactions are strongest between NMR-active nuclei bonded to each other, where spin information can be transmitted directly through the pair of bonding electrons. While nuclei polarize their electrons to the opposite spins, the bonding electron pair has opposite spins. Configurations with antiparallel nuclear spins are expected to be lower in energy. When coupling makes antiparallel states more favorable, J is considered to have a positive value. The one-bond coupling constant, 1J,...
1.5K
01:20Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
1.6K
Two NMR-active nuclei bonded to a central atom can be involved in geminal or two-bond coupling. Geminal coupling is commonly seen between diastereotopic protons in chiral molecules and unsymmetrical alkenes, among others.
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
1.6K
01:22Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
1.5K
Vicinal or three-bond coupling is commonly observed between protons attached to adjacent carbons. Here, nuclear spin information is primarily transferred via electron spin interactions between adjacent C‑H bond orbitals. This generally favors the antiparallel arrangement of spins, so 3J values are usually positive.
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...
1.5K
01:16Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
3.1K
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization or ROMP involves strained cycloalkenes as starting materials. The mechanism of ROMP proceeds by reacting cycloalkene with Grubbs catalyst to give metallacyclobutane intermediate which undergoes a ring-opening reaction to form new carbene. The new carbene reacts with another molecule of cycloalkene. Repetition of these steps leads to the formation of an unsaturated open-chain polymer product. All these steps are reversible, however, relieving the ring...
3.1K