Nanofibers optimized to treat damaged body tissues

TEHRAN, Feb. 07 (MNA) – Iranian researchers produced polymeric nanofibers with optimized diameter and mechanical properties to treat damaged body tissues, INIC reports. According to Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC), Iranian researchers from University of Zanjan produced polymeric nanofibers with optimized diameter and mechanical properties. The production of optimum nanofibers is an important step in treatment of damaged body tissues in tissue engineering. The nanostructured materials have been produced at laboratorial scale but they can be commercialized in future after scaling up and increasing the production capacity. Nanofibers have specific properties due to their high ratio of area to volume. Human body tissues have a structure of nanofibers with diameters less than 500 nm. Average diameter and mechanical properties of fibers were optimized in this research to obtain nanofibers with smallest possible diameters but maximum strength. The scaffolds are able to provide an appropriate environment for the replacement and treatment of damaged tissues. Three-dimensional structures similar to human body structures are required to provide an appropriate environment for the growth and proliferation of cells in biomedical engineering to cure damaged tissues. Results of this research enable the production of polymeric scaffolds with desirable properties. In addition, appropriate scaffolds can be produced faster but cheaper by applying the optimum conditions. Test results showed that average diameter of fibers increases but the strength decreases as the solution concentration increases. In addition, increasing the voltage in electrospinning process decreases the average diameter of fibers but increases their strength. Results of the research have been published in Journal of Industrial Textiles, vol. 45, issue 3, 2015, pp. 10-22.