• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.673-697
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) aims to obtain a structure mimicking native cartilage tissue through the combination of relevant cells, three-dimensional scaffolds, and extraneous signals. Implantation of 'matured' constructs is thus expected to provide solution for treating large injury of articular cartilage. Type I collagen is widely used as scaffolds for CTE products undergoing clinical trial, owing to its ubiquitous biocompatibility and vast clinical approval. However, the long-term performance of pure type I collagen scaffolds would suffer from its limited chondrogenic capacity and inferior mechanical properties. This paper aims to provide insights necessary for advancing type I collagen scaffolds in the CTE applications. METHODS: Initially, the interactions of type I/II collagen with CTE-relevant cells [i.e., articular chondrocytes (ACs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)] are discussed. Next, the physical features and chemical composition of the scaffolds crucial to support chondrogenic activities of AC and MSC are highlighted. Attempts to optimize the collagen scaffolds by blending with natural/synthetic polymers are described. Hybrid strategy in which collagen and structural polymers are combined in non-blending manner is detailed. RESULTS: Type I collagen is sufficient to support cellular activities of ACs and MSCs; however it shows limited chondrogenic performance than type II collagen. Nonetheless, type I collagen is the clinically feasible option since type II collagen shows arthritogenic potency. Physical features of scaffolds such as internal structure, pore size, stiffness, etc. are shown to be crucial in influencing the differentiation fate and secreting extracellular matrixes from ACs and MSCs. Collagen can be blended with native or synthetic polymer to improve the mechanical and bioactivities of final composites. However, the versatility of blending strategy is limited due to denaturation of type I collagen at harsh processing condition. Hybrid strategy is successful in maximizing bioactivity of collagen scaffolds and mechanical robustness of structural polymer. CONCLUSION: Considering the previous improvements of physical and compositional properties of collagen scaffolds and recent manufacturing developments of structural polymer, it is concluded that hybrid strategy is a promising approach to advance further collagen-based scaffolds in CTE.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.575-585
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• 2008

There are two beamlines (BLs), 4C1 and 4C2, at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory that are dedicated to small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The 4C1 BL was constructed in early 2000 and is open to public users, including both domestic and foreign researchers. In 2003, construction of the second SAXS BL, 4C2, was complete and commissioning and user support were started. The 4C2 BL uses the same bending magnet as its light source as the 4C1 BL. The 4C1 BL uses a synthetic double multilayer monochromator, whereas the 4C2 BL uses a Si(111) double crystal monochromator for both small angle and wide angle X-ray scattering. In the 4C2 BL, the collimating mirror is positioned behind the monochromator in order to enhance the beam flux and energy resolution. A toroidal focusing mirror is positioned in front of the monochromator to increase the beam flux and eliminate higher harmonics. The 4C2 BL also contains a digital cooled charge coupled detector, which has a wide dynamic range and good sensitivity to weak scattering, thereby making it suitable for a range of SAXS and wide angle X-ray scattering experiments. The general performance of the 4C2 BL was initially tested using standard samples and further confirmed by the experience of users during three years of operation. In addition, several grazing incidence X-ray scattering measurements were carried out at the 4C2 BL.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.715-725
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• 1996

This study represents the synthetic characteristics of styrene-DVB copolymer which is used as a catalyst support for the removal of tritium in CANDU. To evaluate the effect of solvent on the styrene-DVB polymeric support, the solvating power dependent on various kinds and composition of solvents was calculated. In order to synthesize the macroreticular type polymer bead, the following conditions are needed; solvating power should be higher than 1 for 20% of crosslinkage and higher than 3 for 40% of crosslinkage. Stabilization of organic monomers at about $40^{\circ}C$ for more than 2 hours is prerequisite. Removal of solvent prior to drying is preferred for the post-treatment of the bead. The polymer particle size was increased by lowering concentration of surfactant and stirring speed.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.508-513
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• 2021

In order to improve the durability of a proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), it is essential to improve the durability of the polymer membrane. In order to improve the durability of the membrane, an e-PTFE support and a radical scavenger are added. In this study, the chemical durability of the reinforced membrane with ePTFE support and the non-reinforced membrane was compared by Fenton reaction. In the Fenton experiment of the polymer membrane without the addition of a radical scavenger, the absorption rate of hydrogen peroxide solution and iron ions through the cross section of the specimen cut into small pieces was higher in the reinforced membrane, so that the fluorine outflow concentration was higher. According to the type and amount of radical scavenger added, the fluorine outflow concentration of the reinforced membrane has a large difference of more than 3 times, indicating that the effect of the radical scavenger was stronger than that of the support.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.201-210
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• 2023

Dust filter membranes play a crucial role in human life and various industries, as they contribute to several important aspects of human health, safety, and environmental protection. This study presents the development of a polysulfone@polyphenylene sulfide/polytetrafluoroethylene (PSf@PPS/ePTFE) composite dust filter membrane with excellent thermal stability and adhesion properties for high-temperature conditions. FT-IR analysis confirms successful impregnation of PSf adhesive onto PPS fabric and interaction with ePTFE support. FE-SEM images reveal improved fiber interconnection and adhesion with increased PSf concentration. PSf@PPS/ePTFE-5 exhibits the most suitable porous structure. The composite membrane demonstrates exceptional thermal stability up to 400℃. Peel resistance tests show sufficient adhesion for dust filtration, ensuring reliable performance under tough, high-temperature conditions without compromising air permeability. This membrane offers promising potential for industrial applications. Further optimizations and applications can be explored.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.389-393
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• 2006

The detector consisted of ZnS(Ag) scintillator and photomultiplier tube (PMT) is widely used as contamination monitor in the nuclear facilities. Such detectors are mainly manufactured by adhering the ZnS(Ag) powder onto the transparent plastic. In this study the preparation condition for ZnS(Ag) scintillator sheet using a simple method was established. The scintillator sheet was composed with a support polymer sheet and ZnS(Ag) scintillator layer. The base sheet was prepared by casting the polymer solution after solving the polymer with solvent and the scintillator layer was manufactured by printing the mixture solution with ZnS(Ag) and paste. It was found that the polysulfone(PSf) as a polymer for the base sheet and a cyano resin as a paste for adhering the ZnS(Ag) scintillator was suitable. Also, the prepared thin scintillator sheet had a sufficient mechanical strength, a optical transparency and an alpha-ray detection performance.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.524-529
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• 2020

To increase the mechanical durability of the proton exchange membrane fuel cells, a reinforced membrane in which a support is placed in the polymer membrane is used. The support mainly uses e-PTFE, which is hydrophobic and does not transfer ions, which may cause performance degradation. In this study, we investigated the effect of e-PTFE support on PEMFC performance and electrochemical durability. In this study, the reinforced membrane with the support was compared with the single membrane (non-reinforced membrane). Due to the hydrophobicity of the support, the water diffusion coefficient of the reinforced membrane was lower than that of the single membrane. The reinforced membrane had a lower water diffusion coefficient, resulting in higher HFR, which is the membrane migration resistance of ions, than that of a single membrane. Due to the low hydrogen permeability of the support, the OCV of the reinforced membrane was higher than that of the single membrane. The support was shown to reduce the hydrogen permeability, thereby reducing the rate of radical generation, thereby improving the electrochemical durability of the reinforced membrane.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.289-296
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• 2014

Electrochemical copolymerization of o-chlorophenol (oCP) with o-hydroxyphenol (oHP) was carried out in aqueous $H_2SO_4$ by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. In addition, CV was used to evaluate the differences in electrochemical characteristics of the copolymer in comparison with the corresponding homopolymers, poly(o-chlorophenol) (PoCP) and poly(o-hydroxyphenol) (PoHP). The variation of peak currents with respect to sweep rates was compared between copolymer and homopolymers, PoCP and PoHP, films. Further support for copolymer characterization was obtained by recording UV-visible, IR spectra and elemental analysis. The mechanism of the electrochemical polymerization has been discussed. The monomer reactivity ratios ($r_1$ and $r_2$) were calculated using Fineman-R$\ddot{o}$ss method and was found to be 0.4 and 1.3 repetitivelly and the copolymer structure is a block structure and more rich in oHP units.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.346-351
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• 2009

$TiCl(O-i-Pr)_3/SiO_2$ and $Ti(O-i-Pr)_4/SiO_2$ were prepared by immobilizing chlorotitanium (IV) isopropoxide ($TiCl(O-i-Pr)_3$) and titanium (IV) isopropoxide ($Ti(O-i-Pr)_4$), to pretreated silica. The effect of the polymerization reaction conditions on the catalytic activity and characteristics of the resulting PLA were investigated. The catalytic conversion, molecular weight and polydispersity index (PDI) of the PLA produced on the titanium alkoxide supported catalysts increased proportionally with the reaction temperature. When the PLA was synthesized in bulk polymerization, the PLA produced with the supported catalysts had higher molecular weight than those with homogeneous catalysts. The melting temperature of the polymer produced with silica supported alkoxide catalysts was approximately $170-180^{\circ}C$.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.652-655
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• 2009

The bimodal porous carbons were synthesized by using imprinting method with templates of SBA-15 particle and silica sphere and applied as supporting materials for the electro-catalyst of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The silica spheres with diameter size of 100 nm and SBA-15 particle having 200 nm -250 nm diameter and 700 nm -900 nm length were synthesized in this work. The bimodal porous carbons (S100) were prepared by using the silica spheres and SBA-15 as templates and mesophase pitch as a carbon source. The PtRu nanoparticle of ca. 1.9 nm were supported on the bimodal porous carbon support and the resulting PtRu/S100 catalysts was tested by the cyclic voltammetry. The use of bimodal porous carbon showed in comparable electro-catalytic activities with commercial catalyst. Though unclear effects of bimodal porosity of supports could be obtained in the scope of this study, morphological advantage in electrical conductivity can be considered on the electro-catalytic activity.