@article{KruegerGengeSchulzKratzetal.2018, author = {Kr{\"u}ger-Genge, Anne and Schulz, Christian and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas and Jung, Friedrich}, title = {Comparison of two substrate materials used as negative control in endothelialization studies}, series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, volume = {69}, journal = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, number = {3}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1386-0291}, doi = {10.3233/CH-189904}, pages = {437 -- 445}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The endothelialization of synthetic surfaces applied as cardiovascular implant materials is an important issue to ensure the anti-thrombotic quality of a biomaterial. However, the rapid and constant development of a functionallycon-fluent endothelial cell monolayer is challenging. In order to investigate the compatibility of potential implant materials with endothelial cells several in vitro studies are performed. Here, glass and tissue culture plates (TCP) are often used as reference materials for in vitro pre-testing. However, a direct comparison of both substrates is lacking. Therefore, a comparison of study results is difficult, since results are often related to various reference materials. In this study, the endothelialization of glass and TCP was investigated in terms of adherence, morphology, integrity, viability and function using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). On both substrates an almost functionally confluent HUVEC monolayer was developed after nine days of cell seeding with clearly visible cell rims, decreased stress fiber formation and a pronounced marginal filament band. The viability of HUVEC was comparable for both substrates nine days after cell seeding with only a few dead cells. According to that, the cell membrane integrity as well as the metabolic activity showed no differences between TCP and glass. However, a significant difference was observed for the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. The concentration of both cytokines, which are associated with migratory activity, was increased in the supernatant of HUVEC seeded on TCP. This result matches well with the slightly increased number of adherent HUVEC on TCP. In conclusion, these findings indicate that both reference materials are almost comparable and can be used equivalently as control materials in in vitro endothelialization studies.}, language = {en} } @article{KruegerGengeBrauneWalteretal.2018, author = {Kr{\"u}ger-Genge, A. and Braune, S. and Walter, M. and Krengel, M. and Kratz, K. and K{\"u}pper, J. H. and Lendlein, Andreas and Jung, Friedrich}, title = {Influence of different surface treatments of poly(n-butyl acrylate) networks on fibroblasts adhesion, morphology and viability}, series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, volume = {69}, journal = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1386-0291}, doi = {10.3233/CH-189130}, pages = {305 -- 316}, year = {2018}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Physical and chemical characteristics of implant materials determine the fate of long-term cardiovascular devices. However, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms occurring in the material-tissue interphase. In a previous study, soft covalently crosslinked poly(n-butyl acrylate) networks (cPnBA) were introduced as sterilizable, non-toxic and immuno-compatible biomaterials with mechanical properties adjustable to blood vessels. Here we study the influence of different surface treatments in particular oxygen plasma modification and fibrinogen deposition as well as a combinatorial approach on the adhesion and viability of fibroblasts. RESULTS: Compared to non-treated cPnBAs the advancing water-contact angles were found to be reduced after all surface modifications (p<0.05, each), while lowest values were observed after the combined surface treatment (OPT+FIB). The latter differed significantly from the single OPT and FIB. The number of adherent fibroblasts and their adherence behavior differed on both pristine cPnBA networks. The fibroblast density on cPnBA04 was 743 +/- 434 cells. mm(-2), was about 6.5 times higher than on cPnBA73 with 115 +/- 73 cells. mm(-2). On cPnBA04 about 20\% of the cells were visible as very small, round and buckled cells while all other cells were in a migrating status. On cPnBA73, nearly 50\% of fibroblasts were visible as very small, round and buckled cells. The surface functionalization either using oxygen plasma treatment or fibrinogen coating led to a significant increase of adherent fibroblasts, particularly the combination of both techniques, for both cPnBA networks. It is noteworthy to mention that the fibrinogen coating overruled the characteristics of the pristine surfaces; here, the fibroblast densities after seeding were identical for both cPnBAnetworks. Thus, the binding rather depended on the fibrinogen coating than on the substrate characteristics anymore. While the integrity of the fibroblasts membrane was comparable for both polymers, the MTS tests showed a decreased metabolic activity of the fibroblasts on cPnBA. CONCLUSION: The applied surface treatments of cPnBA successfully improved the adhesion of viable fibroblasts. Under resting conditions as well as after shearing the highest fibroblast densities were found on surfaces with combined post-treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{KumarHeuchelKratzetal.2018, author = {Kumar, Reddi K. and Heuchel, Matthias and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas and Jankowski, Joachim and Tetali, Sarada D.}, title = {Effects of extracts prepared from modified porous poly(ether imide) microparticulate absorbers on cytotoxicity, macrophage differentiation and proinflammatory behavior of human monocytic (THP-1) cells}, series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, volume = {69}, journal = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1386-0291}, doi = {10.3233/CH-189112}, pages = {175 -- 185}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Remaining uremic toxins in the blood of chronic renal failure patients represent one central challenge in hemodialysis therapies. Highly porous poly(ether imide) (PEI) microparticles have been recently introduced as candidate absorber materials, which show a high absorption capacity for uremic toxins and allow hydrophilic surface modification suitable for minimization of serum protein absorption. In this work, the effects of extracts prepared from PEI microparticles modified by nucleophilic reaction with low molecular weight polyethylene imine (Pei) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), on human monocytic (THP-1) cells are studied. The obtained results suggested that the extracts of Pei and KOH modified PEI absorbers have no negative effect on THP-1 cell viability and do not initiate the critical differentiation towards macrophages. The extracts did not enhance transcript or protein levels of investigated proinflammatory markers in THP-1 cells, namely, TNF alpha, MCP1, IL6 and IL8. Based on these findings such modified PEI microparticles should be qualified for further pre-clinical evaluation i.e. in an in vivo animal experiment.}, language = {en} } @article{RazzaqBehlLendlein2018, author = {Razzaq, Muhammad Yasar and Behl, Marc and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Thermally-induced actuation of magnetic nanocomposites based on Oligo(ω-pentadecalactone) and covalently integrated magnetic nanoparticles}, series = {MRS advances: a journal of the Materials Research Society (MRS)}, volume = {3}, journal = {MRS advances: a journal of the Materials Research Society (MRS)}, number = {63}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {2059-8521}, doi = {10.1557/adv.2018.613}, pages = {3783 -- 3791}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The incorporation of inorganic particles in a polymer matrix has been established as a method to adjust the mechanical performance of composite materials. We report on the influence of covalent integration of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) on the actuation behavior and mechanical performance of hybrid nanocomposite (H-NC) based shape-memory polymer actuators (SMPA). The H-NC were synthesized by reacting two types of oligo(ω-pentadecalactone) (OPDL) based precursors with terminal hydroxy groups, a three arm OPDL (3 AOPDL, Mn = 6000 g mol•1-1 ) and an OPDL (Mn =3300 g • mol-1 ) coated magnetite nanoparticle ({\O} = 10 ± 2 nm), with a diisocyanate. These H-NC were compared to the homopolymer network regarding the actuation performance, contractual stress (σcontr) as well as thermal and mechanical properties. The melting range of the OPDL crystals (ΔTm,OPDL) was shifted in homo polymer networks from 36 ºC - 76 ºC to 41ºC - 81 °C for H-NC with 9 wt\% of MNP content. The actuators were explored by variation of separating temperature (Tsep), which splits the OPDL crystalline domain into actuating and geometry determining segments. Tsep was varied in the melting range of the nanocomposites and the actuation capability and contractual stress (σcontr) of the nanocomposite actuators could be adjusted. The reversible strain (εrev) was decreased from 11 ± 0.3\% for homo polymer network to 3.2±0.3\% for H-NC9 with 9 wt\% of MNP indicating a restraining effect of the MNP on chain mobility. The results show that the performance of H-NCs in terms of thermal and elastic properties can be tailored by MNP content, however for higher reversible actuation, lower MNP contents are preferable.}, language = {en} } @article{FarhanRudolphNoecheletal.2018, author = {Farhan, Muhammad and Rudolph, Tobias and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Extractable Free Polymer Chains Enhance Actuation Performance of Crystallizable Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Networks and Enable Self-Healing}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {10}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym10030255}, pages = {15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Crosslinking of thermoplastics is a versatile method to create crystallizable polymer networks, which are of high interest for shape-memory actuators. Here, crosslinked poly(epsilon-caprolactone) thermosets (cPCLs) were prepared from linear starting material, whereby the amount of extractable polymer was varied. Fractions of 5-60 wt \% of non-crosslinked polymer chains, which freely interpenetrate the crosslinked network, were achieved leading to differences in the resulting phase of the bulk material. This can be described as "sponge-like" with open or closed compartments depending on the amount of interpenetrating polymer. The crosslinking density and the average network chain length remained in a similar range for all network structures, while the theoretical accessible volume for reptation of the free polymer content is affected. This feature could influence or introduce new functions into the material created by thermomechanical treatment. The effect of interpenetrating PCL in cPCLs on the reversible actuation was analyzed by cyclic, uniaxial tensile tests. Here, high reversible strains of up to Delta epsilon = 24\% showed the enhanced actuation performance of networks with a non-crosslinked PCL content of 30 wt \% resulting from the crystal formation in the phase of the non-crosslinked PCL and co-crystallization with network structures. Additional functionalities are reprogrammability and self-healing capabilities for networks with high contents of extractable polymer enabling reusability and providing durable actuator materials.}, language = {en} } @article{PilusoVukicevieNoecheletal.2018, author = {Piluso, Susanna and Vukicevie, Radovan and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Braune, Steffen and Lendlein, Andreas and Neffe, Axel T.}, title = {Sequential alkyne-azide cycloadditions for functionalized gelatin hydrogel formation}, series = {European polymer journal}, volume = {100}, journal = {European polymer journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.01.017}, pages = {77 -- 85}, year = {2018}, abstract = {While click chemistry reactions for biopolymer network formation are attractive as the defined reactions may allow good control of the network formation and enable subsequent functionalization, tailoring of gelatin network properties over a wide range of mechanical properties has yet to be shown. Here, it is demonstrated that copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition of alkyne functionalized gelatin with diazides gave hydrogel networks with properties tailorable by the ratio of diazide to gelatin and diazide rigidity. 4,4′-diazido-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, which has been used as rigid crosslinker, yielded hydrogels with Young's moduli E of 50-390 kPa and swelling degrees Q of 150-250 vol.\%, while the more flexible 1,8-diazidooctane resulted in hydrogels with E = 125-280 kPa and Q = 225-470 vol.\%. Storage moduli could be varied by two orders of magnitude (G′ = 100-20,000 Pa). An indirect cytotoxicity test did not show cytotoxic properties. Even when employing 1:1 ratios of alkyne and azide moieties, the hydrogels were shown to contain both, unreacted alkyne groups on the gelatin backbone as well as dangling chains carrying azide groups as shown by reaction with functionalized fluorescein. The free groups, which can be tailored by the employed ratio of the reactants, are accessible for covalent attachment of drugs, as was demonstrated by functionalization with dexamethasone. The sequential network formation and functionalization with click chemistry allows access to multifunctional materials relevant for medical applications.}, language = {en} } @article{SaremAryaHeizmannetal.2018, author = {Sarem, Melika and Arya, Neha and Heizmann, Miriam and Neffe, Axel T. and Barbero, Andrea and Gebauer, Tim P. and Martin, Ivan and Lendlein, Andreas and Shastri, V. Prasad}, title = {Interplay between stiffness and degradation of architectured gelatin hydrogels leads to differential modulation of chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo}, series = {Acta biomaterialia}, volume = {69}, journal = {Acta biomaterialia}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1742-7061}, doi = {10.1016/j.actbio.2018.01.025}, pages = {83 -- 94}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The limited capacity of cartilage to heal large lesions through endogenous mechanisms has led to extensive effort to develop materials to facilitate chondrogenesis. Although physical-chemical properties of biomaterials have been shown to impact in vitro chondrogenesis, whether these findings are translatable in vivo is subject of debate. Herein, architectured 3D hydrogel scaffolds (ArcGel) (produced by crosslinking gelatin with ethyl lysine diisocyanate (LDI)) were used as a model system to investigate the interplay between scaffold mechanical properties and degradation on matrix deposition by human articular chondrocytes (HAC) from healthy donors in vitro and in vivo. Using ArcGel scaffolds of different tensile and shear modulus, and degradation behavior; in this study, we compared the fate of ex vivo engineeredArcGels-chondrocytes constructs, i.e. the traditional tissue engineering approach, with the de novo formation of cartilaginous tissue in HAC laden ArcGels in an ectopic nude mouse model. While the softer and fast degrading ArcGel (LNCO3) was more efficient at promoting chondrogenic differentiation in vitro, upon ectopic implantation, the stiffer and slow degrading ArcGel (LNCO8) was superior in maintaining chondrogenic phenotype in HAC and retention of cartilaginous matrix. Furthermore, surprisingly the de novo formation of cartilage tissue was promoted only in LNCO8. Since HAC cultured for only three days in the LNCO8 environment showed upregulation of hypoxia-associated genes, this suggests a potential role for hypoxia in the observed in vivo outcomes. In summary, this study sheds light on how immediate environment (in vivo versus in vitro) can significantly impact the outcomes of cell-laden biomaterials. Statement of Significance In this study, 3D architectured hydrogels (ArcGels) with different mechanical and biodegradation properties were investigated for their potential to promote formation of cartilaginous matrix by human articular chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Two paradigms were explored (i) ex vivo engineering followed by in vivo implantation in ectopic site of nude mice and (ii) short in vitro culture (3 days) followed by implantation to induce de novo cartilage formation. Softer and fast degrading ArcGel were better at promoting chondrogenesis in vitro, while stiffer and slow degrading ArcGel were strikingly superior in both maintaining chondrogenesis in vivo and inducing de novo formation of cartilage. Our findings highlight the importance of the interplay between scaffold mechanics and degradation in chondrogenesis.}, language = {en} } @misc{Lendlein2018, author = {Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Fabrication of reprogrammable shape-memory polymer actuators for robotics}, series = {Science robotics}, volume = {3}, journal = {Science robotics}, number = {18}, publisher = {American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2470-9476}, doi = {10.1126/scirobotics.aat9090}, pages = {2}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Shape-memory polymer actuators, whose actuation geometry and switching temperatures are reprogrammable by physical fabrication schemes, were recently suggested for robotics with the option for self-healing and degradability.}, language = {en} } @article{YanRudolphNoecheletal.2018, author = {Yan, Wan and Rudolph, Tobias and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Behl, Marc and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Reversible actuation of thermoplastic multiblock copolymers with overlapping thermal transitions of crystalline and glassy domains}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {51}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {12}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00322}, pages = {4624 -- 4632}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Polymeric materials possessing specific features like programmability, high deformability, and easy processability are highly desirable for creating modern actuating systems. In this study, thermoplastic shape-memory polymer actuators obtained by combining crystallizable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(3S-isobutylmorpholin-2,5-dione) (PIBMD) segments in multiblock copolymers are described. We designed these materials according to our hypothesis that the confinement of glassy PIBMD domains present at the upper actuation temperature contribute to the stability of the actuator skeleton, especially at large programming strains. The copolymers have a phase-segregated morphology, indicated by the well-separated melting and glass transition temperatures for PIBMD and PCL, but possess a partially overlapping T-m of PCL and T-g of PIBMD in the temperature interval from 40 to 60 degrees C. Crystalline PIBMD hard domains act as strong physical netpoints in the PIBMD-PCL bulk material enabling high deformability (up to 2000\%) and good elastic recoverability (up to 80\% at 50 degrees C above T-m,T-PCL). In the programmed thermoplastic actuators a high content of crystallizable PCL actuation domains ensures pronounced thermoreversible shape changes upon repetitive cooling and heating. The programmed actuator skeleton, composed of PCL crystals present at the upper actuation temperature T-high and the remaining glassy PIBMD domains, enabled oriented crystallization upon cooling. The actuation performance of PIBMD-PCL could be tailored by balancing the interplay between actuation and skeleton, but also by varying the quantity of crystalline PIBMD hard domains via the copolymer composition, the applied programming strain, and the choice of T-high. The actuator with 17 mol\% PIBMD showed the highest reversible elongation of 11.4\% when programmed to a strain of 900\% at 50 degrees C. It is anticipated that the presented thermoplastic actuator materials can be applied as modern compression textiles.}, language = {en} } @article{FangGouldLysyakovaetal.2018, author = {Fang, Liang and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Lysyakova, Liudmila and Jiang, Yi and Sauter, Tilman and Frank, Oliver and Becker, Tino and Schossig, Michael and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Implementing and quantifying the shape-memory effect of single polymeric micro/nanowires with an atomic force microscope}, series = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, volume = {19}, journal = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, number = {16}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1439-4235}, doi = {10.1002/cphc.201701362}, pages = {2078 -- 2084}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The implementation of shape-memory effects (SME) in polymeric micro- or nano-objects currently relies on the application of indirect macroscopic manipulation techniques, for example, stretchable molds or phantoms, to ensembles of small objects. Here, we introduce a method capable of the controlled manipulation and SME quantification of individual micro- and nano-objects in analogy to macroscopic thermomechanical test procedures. An atomic force microscope was utilized to address individual electro-spun poly(ether urethane) (PEU) micro- or nanowires freely suspended between two micropillars on a micro-structured silicon substrate. In this way, programming strains of 10 +/- 1\% or 21 +/- 1\% were realized, which could be successfully fixed. An almost complete restoration of the original free-suspended shape during heating confirmed the excellent shape-memory performance of the PEU wires. Apparent recovery stresses of sigma(max,app)=1.2 +/- 0.1 and 33.3 +/- 0.1MPa were obtained for a single microwire and nanowire, respectively. The universal AFM test platform described here enables the implementation and quantification of a thermomechanically induced function for individual polymeric micro- and nanosystems.}, language = {en} } @article{TuncaboyluFriessWischkeetal.2018, author = {Tuncaboylu, Deniz Ceylan and Friess, Fabian and Wischke, Christian and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {A multifunctional multimaterial system for on-demand protein release}, series = {Journal of controlled release}, volume = {284}, journal = {Journal of controlled release}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-3659}, doi = {10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.06.022}, pages = {240 -- 247}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In order to provide best control of the regeneration process for each individual patient, the release of protein drugs administered during surgery may need to be timely adapted and/or delayed according to the progress of healing/regeneration. This study aims to establish a multifunctional implant system for a local on-demand release, which is applicable for various types of proteins. It was hypothesized that a tubular multimaterial container kit, which hosts the protein of interest as a solution or gel formulation, would enable on-demand release if equipped with the capacity of diameter reduction upon external stimulation. Using devices from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) networks, it could be demonstrated that a shape-memory effect activated by heat or NIR light enabled on-demand tube shrinkage. The decrease of diameter of these shape-memory tubes (SMT) allowed expelling the payload as demonstrated for several proteins including SDF-1 alpha, a therapeutically relevant chemotactic protein, to achieve e.g. continuous release with a triggered add-on dosing (open tube) or an on-demand onset of bolus or sustained release (sealed tube). Considering the clinical relevance of protein factors in (stem) cell attraction to lesions and the progress in monitoring biomarkers in body fluids, such on-demand release systems may be further explored e.g. in heart, nerve, or bone regeneration in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{WangRazzaqRudolphetal.2018, author = {Wang, Li and Razzaq, Muhammad Yasar and Rudolph, Tobias and Heuchel, Matthias and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Mansfeld, Ulrich and Jiang, Yi and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Behl, Marc and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Reprogrammable, magnetically controlled polymeric nanocomposite actuators}, series = {Material horizons}, volume = {5}, journal = {Material horizons}, number = {5}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2051-6347}, doi = {10.1039/c8mh00266e}, pages = {861 -- 867}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Soft robots and devices with the advanced capability to perform adaptive motions similar to that of human beings often have stimuli-sensitive polymeric materials as the key actuating component. The external signals triggering the smart polymers' actuations can be transmitted either via a direct physical connection between actuator and controlling unit (tethered) or remotely without a connecting wire. However, the vast majority of such polymeric actuator materials are limited to one specific type of motion as their geometrical information is chemically fixed. Here, we present magnetically driven nanocomposite actuators, which can be reversibly reprogrammed to different actuation geometries by a solely physical procedure. Our approach is based on nanocomposite materials comprising spatially segregated crystallizable actuation and geometry determining units. Upon exposure to a specific magnetic field strength the actuators' geometric memory is erased by the melting of the geometry determining units allowing the implementation of a new actuator shape. The actuation performance of the nanocomposites can be tuned and the technical significance was demonstrated in a multi-cyclic experiment with several hundreds of repetitive free-standing shape shifts without losing performance.}, language = {en} } @article{PengBehlZhangetal.2018, author = {Peng, Xingzhou and Behl, Marc and Zhang, Pengfei and Mazurek-Budzynska, Magdalena and Feng, Yakai and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Synthesis of Well-Defined Dihydroxy Telechelics by (Co)polymerization of Morpholine-2,5-Diones Catalyzed by Sn(IV) Alkoxide}, series = {Macromolecular bioscience}, volume = {18}, journal = {Macromolecular bioscience}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.201800257}, pages = {11}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Well-defined dihydroxy telechelic oligodepsipeptides (oDPs), which have a high application potential as building blocks for scaffold materials for tissue engineering applications or particulate carrier systems for drug delivery applications are synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of morpholine-2,5-diones (MDs) catalyzed by 1,1,6,6-tetra-n-butyl-1,6-distanna-2,5,7,10-tetraoxacyclodecane (Sn(IV) alkoxide). In contrast to ROP catalyzed by Sn(Oct)(2), the usage of Sn(IV) alkoxide leads to oDPs, with less side products and well-defined end groups, which is crucial for potential pharmaceutical applications. A slightly faster reaction of the ROP catalyzed by Sn(IV) alkoxide compared to the ROP initiated by Sn(Oct)(2)/EG is found. Copolymerization of different MDs resulted in amorphous copolymers with T(g)s between 44 and 54 degrees C depending on the molar comonomer ratios in the range from 25\% to 75\%. Based on the well-defined telechelic character of the Sn(IV) alkoxide synthesized oDPs as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight measurements, they resemble interesting building blocks for subsequent postfunctionalization or multifunctional materials based on multiblock copolymer systems whereas the amorphous oDP-based copolymers are interesting building blocks for matrices of drug delivery systems.}, language = {en} } @article{JiangMansfeldFangetal.2018, author = {Jiang, Yi and Mansfeld, Ulrich and Fang, Liang and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Temperature-induced evolution of microstructures on poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] substrates switches their underwater wettability}, series = {Materials \& design}, volume = {163}, journal = {Materials \& design}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0264-1275}, doi = {10.1016/j.matdes.2018.12.002}, pages = {10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Material surfaces with tailored aerophobicity are crucial for applications where gas bubble wettability has to be controlled, e.g., gas storage and transport, electrodes, bioreactors or medical devices. Here, we present switchable underwater aerophobicity of hydrophobic polymeric substrates, which respond to heat with multilevel micro-and nanotopographical changes. The cross-linked poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] substrates possess arrays of microcylinders with a nanorough top surface. It is hypothesized that the specific micro-/nanotopography of the surface allows trapping of a water film at the micro interspace and in this way generates the aerophobic behavior. The structured substrates were programmed to a temporarily stable, nanoscale flat substrate showing aerophilic behavior. Upon heating, the topographical changes caused a switch in contact angle from aerophilic to aerophobic for approaching air bubbles. In this way, the initial adhesion of air bubbles to the programmed flat substrate could be turned into repellence for the recovered substrate surface. The temperature at which the repellence of air bubbles starts can be adjusted from 58 +/- 3 degrees C to 73 +/- 3 degrees C by varying the deformation temperature applied during the temperature-memory programming procedure. The presented actively switching polymeric substrates are attractive candidates for applications, where an on-demand gas bubble repellence is advantageous. (c) 2018 Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Zentrum fur Material- und Kustenforschung. Published by Elsevier Ltd.}, language = {en} } @article{LuetzowHommesSchattmannNeffeetal.2018, author = {L{\"u}tzow, Karola and Hommes-Schattmann, Paul J. and Neffe, Axel T. and Ahmad, Bilal and Williams, Gareth R. and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Perfluorophenyl azide functionalization of electrospun poly(para-dioxanone)}, series = {Polymers for advanced technologies}, volume = {30}, journal = {Polymers for advanced technologies}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1042-7147}, doi = {10.1002/pat.4331}, pages = {1165 -- 1172}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Strategies to surface-functionalize scaffolds by covalent binding of biologically active compounds are of fundamental interest to control the interactions between scaffolds and biomolecules or cells. Poly(para-dioxanone) (PPDO) is a clinically established polymer that has shown potential as temporary implant, eg, for the reconstruction of the inferior vena cava, as a nonwoven fiber mesh. However, PPDO lacks suitable chemical groups for covalent functionalization. Furthermore, PPDO is highly sensitive to hydrolysis, reflected by short in vivo half-life times and degradation during storage. Establishing a method for covalent functionalization without degradation of this hydrolyzable polymer is therefore important to enable the surface tailoring for tissue engineering applications. It was hypothesized that treatment of PPDO with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester group bearing perfluorophenyl azide (PFPA) under UV irradiation would allow efficient surface functionalization of the scaffold. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy investigation revealed the successful binding, while a gel permeation chromatography study showed that degradation did not occur under these conditions. Coupling of a rhodamine dye to the N-hydroxysuccinimide esters on the surface of a PFPA-functionalized scaffold via its amine linker showed a homogenous staining of the PPDO in laser confocal microscopy. The PFPA method is therefore applicable even to the surface functionalization of hydrolytically labile polymers, and it was demonstrated that PFPA chemistry may serve as a versatile tool for the (bio-)functionalization of PPDO scaffolds.}, language = {en} }