Functional Nanofiber-based Devices for Wound Healing Applications

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Over the past decades much research has focused on utilizing materials to develop devices by fabricating nanofibers for applications, such as biomedical nanotechnology, leading to the development of the field of wound healing. Among the various materials utilized, polymers including polypyrrole, polyaniline (PANi), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(L-lactide) (PLA) and graphene based composites are among the few that have been demonstrated conductivity to be used as electrodes for devices, despite their low conductivity. Moreover, it is observed that piezo/triboelectric fibers (e.g. PVDF, PLLA polymers) harvest energy and can be used as nano-generators or dynamic pressure sensors [1]. Currently, significant research aims to develop novel treatments based on a combination of conductive and piezo/triboelectric fibers for more kinds of injured tissues such as skin. Their morphology and performance can be tuned with the polymer solution properties (e.g. viscosity, composite ratio and conductivity) and electrospinning parameters (e.g. Voltage, flow rate and collector distance) in order to enhance the device performance. Conductive nanofibers have demonstrated significant biological activity since their scaffolds with electrical simulation showed facilitating cell seeding and promoting cell proliferation and differentiation [2]. This project will deal with engineering aspects of developing advanced devices by using functional electrospun nanofibers (conductive and piezo/triboelectric) for applications such as wound healing or monitor some vital health parameters. The question that this research will address is how the conductivity of conductive nanofibers can be advanced to be used as electrodes for a device full-based on piezo-triboelectric fibers and what are their effect on wound healing.