Journal of Material Sciences & Engineering

Kim Ragaert

Publications

• Research Article
  Bulk Compounding of PCL-PEO Blends for 3D Plotting of Scaffolds for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering
  Author(s): Kim Ragaert, Maeyaert G, Martins CI and Cardon LKim Ragaert, Maeyaert G, Martins CI and Cardon L
  
  3D plotting of micro-extruded filaments is a promising method for the additive manufacturing of porous scaffolds (for tissue engineering) in thermoplastic polymers. A much investigated polymer for degradable scaffolds is poly-ε- caprolactone (PCL). One of the remaining issues with the material is its inherent hydrophilicity, which leads to nonspecific protein adsorption. Specifically for cardiovascular applications, it has also been found that PCL is insufficiently flexible to mimic the mechanic-elastic behavior of the natural tissue. Earlier research has shown that blending with low molecular weight poly-ethylene-oxide (PEO) may offer an improvement in terms of both hydrophilicity and flexibility. Until now, solution-based blending has been used as a manufacturing method for these blends, since PCL and PEO are largely immiscible in the melt. This, however, is tedious work whi.. Read More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2169-0022.1000136

  Abstract PDF