Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: STEM Research
Vijay Rangari - Tuskegee University
Co-Author(s): V.Hambrick-Holloman, Shaik Jeelani, Tuskegee University
In the medical field, there remains a strong demand for regenerative, biocompatible materials that can be fabricated into complex, patient-specific shapes. The objective of this work is to develop an inexpensive yet sustainable approach to fabricating personalized and bioactive hydroxyapatite-based scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) was derived from naturally occurring chicken eggshell and clam shell waste using an energy efficient microwave-assisted wet chemical precipitation method. XRD, FESEM, TEM, and EDS confirmed crystalline nHA particles varying in shapes, within the nanometer range, and a chemical composition matching that of naturally occurring HA. nHA based scaffolds were fabricated by 3D printing slurry-based solutions composed of 70 wt% nHA and 30 wt% Polycarpolactone (PCL) using a unique Hyrel 30 M Printer. XRD, SEM, TGA and in vitro cell studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of the constructed scaffolds for tissue regeneration purposes. The scaffolds derived from naturally occurring waste sources showed high levels of cellular adhesion and proliferation when seeded over various periods.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF-CREST- 1735971; NSF-RISE-1459007; NSF-EPSCoR-1655280
Faculty Advisor: None Listed,