• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.632-637
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• 2014

A microfluidic method for the in situ production of monodispersed alginate hydrogels using biocompatible polymer gelation by crosslinker mass transfer is described. Gelation of the hydrogel was achieved in situ by the dispersed calcium ion in the microfluidic device. The capillary number (Ca) and the flow rate of the disperse phase which are important operating parameters mainly influenced the formation of three distinctive flow regions, such as dripping, jetting, and unstable dripping. Under the formation of dripping region, monodispersed alginate hydrogels having a narrow size distribution (C.V=2.71%) were produced in the microfluidic device and the size of the hydrogels, ranging from 30 to $60{\mu}m$, could be easily controlled by varying the flow rate, viscosity, and interfacial tension. This simple microfluidic method for the production of monodisperse alginate hydrogels shows strong potential for use in delivery systems of foods, cosmetics, inks, and drugs, and spherical alginate hydrogels which have biocompatibility will be applied to cell transplantation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.96-96
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• 2016

Nanotechnology mostly employs nano-materials and nano-structures with distinctive properties based on their size, structure, and composition. It is quite difficult to produce nano-materials and nano-structures with identical sizes, structures, and compositions in large quantities, because of spatiotemporal fluctuation of production processes. In other words, fluctuation is the bottleneck in nanotechnology. We propose three strategies to suppress such fluctuations: employing 1) difference between linear and nonlinear phenomena, 2) difference in time constants, and 3) nucleation as a bottleneck phenomenon. We are also developing nano- and micro-scale guided assembly using plasmas as a plasma nanofabrication.1-5) We manipulate nano- and micro-objects using electrostatic, electromagnetic, ion drag, neutral drag, and optical forces. The accuracy of positioning the objects depends on fluctuation of position and energy of an object in plasmas. Here we evaluate such fluctuations and discuss the mechanism behind them. We conducted in-situ evaluation of local plasma potential fluctuation using tracking analysis of fine particles (=objects) in plasmas. Experiments were carried out with a radio frequency low-pressure plasma reactor, where we set two quartz windows at the top and bottom of the reactor. Ar plasmas were generated at 200 Pa by applying 13.56MHz, 450V peak-to-peak voltage. The injected fine particles were monodisperse methyl methacrylate-polymer spheres of $10{\mu}m$ in diameter. Fine particles were injected into the reactor and were suspended around the plasma/sheath boundary near the powered electrode. We observed binary collision of fine particles with a high-speed camera. The frame rate was 1000-10000 fps. Time evolution of their distance from the center of mass was measured by tracking analysis of the two particles. Kinetic energy during the collision was obtained from the result. Potential energy formed between the two particles was deduced by assuming the potential energy plus the kinetic energy is constant. The interaction potential is fluctuated during the collision. Maximum amplitude of the fluctuation is 25eV, and the average is 8eV. The fluctuation can be caused by neutral molecule collisions, ion collisions, and fluctuation of electrostatic force. Among theses possible causes, fluctuation of electrostatic force may be main one, because the fine particle has a large negative charge of -17000e and the corresponding electrostatic force is large compared to other forces.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.740-745
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• 2018

The synthesis and characterization of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles were reported in this work. We show that relatively monodisperse ACP nanoparticles with a size of sub-100 nm can be prepared by a hydrothermal reaction of calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) and disodium adenosine triphosphate ($Na_2ATP$) in the presence of sodium phytate as an additive. Their compositions and structures were confirmed using a series of material characterization techniques. Our results exhibit that ACP nanoparticles synthesized using sodium phytate enhanced the stability of maintaining their amorphous nature and prevented from a conversion to crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP). ACP nanoparticles with the improved stability have potential uses in biomaterial applications in regenerative medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.479-486
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• 2003

In this study, poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles loaded with water-insoluble vitamins such as vitamin A (Retinol) and vitamin E acetate were prepared by the emulsification diffusion method. Polymer solution was prepared by the two water-miscible organic solvent, such as ethanol and acetone. Because of its biocompatible property, polyethyleneglycol-polypropyleneglycol diblock copolymer was used as surfactant and stabilizer. The influence of some preparative variables on the nanoparticle formation and on the loading efficiency of active agents, such as the type and concentration of stabilizing agent, the stirring methods, the water/oil phase ratio and the polymer concentration were investigated in order to control and optimize the process. After preparation of nanoparticles loaded with active agent, particle size and distribution were evaluated by the light scattering particle analyzer. The loading efficiency of active agents was evaluated by the UV-visible spectroscopy. As the results, particle size were 50-200 nm and dispersibility was monodisperse. The optimum loading efficiency of active agents was observed 50-60%. It was found that the appropriate of selections of binary solvent mixtures and polymeric concentrations in both organic and aqueous phases could provide good yield and favorable physical properties of PLGA nanoparticles.