TY - CHAP A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Nöchel, Ulrich A1 - Sauter, Tilman A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Polymer networks capable of reversible shape-memory-effects T2 - Abstracts of papers : joint conference / The Chemical Institute of Cananda, CIC, American Chemical Society, ACS Y1 - 2014 SN - 0065-7727 VL - 248 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bhuvanesh, Thanga A1 - Machatschek, Rainhard Gabriel A1 - Lysyakova, Liudmila A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Schulz, Burkhard A1 - Ma, Nan A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Collagen type-IV Langmuir and Langmuir-Schafer layers as model biointerfaces to direct stem cell adhesion JF - Biomedical materials : materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine N2 - In biomaterial development, the design of material surfaces that mimic the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) in order to achieve favorable cellular instruction is rather challenging. Collagen-type IV (Col-IV), the major scaffolding component of Basement Membranes (BM), a specialized ECM with multiple biological functions, has the propensity to form networks by self-assembly and supports adhesion of cells such as endothelial cells or stem cells. The preparation of biomimetic Col-IV network-like layers to direct cell responses is difficult. We hypothesize that the morphology of the layer, and especially the density of the available adhesion sites, regulates the cellular adhesion to the layer. The Langmuir monolayer technique allows for preparation of thin layers with precisely controlled packing density at the air-water (A-W) interface. Transferring these layers onto cell culture substrates using the Langmuir-Schafer (LS) technique should therefore provide a pathway for preparation of BM mimicking layers with controlled cell adherence properties. In situ characterization using ellipsometry and polarization modulation-infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy of Col-IV layer during compression at the A-W interface reveal that there is linear increase of surface molecule concentration with negligible orientational changes up to a surface pressure of 25 mN m(-1). Smooth and homogeneous Col-IV network-like layers are successfully transferred by LS method at 15 mN m(-1) onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), which is a common substrate for cell culture. In contrast, the organization of Col-IV on PET prepared by the traditionally employed solution deposition method results in rather inhomogeneous layers with the appearance of aggregates and multilayers. Progressive increase in the number of early adherent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after 24 h by controlling the areal Col-IV density by LS transfer at 10, 15 and 20 mN m(-1) on PET is shown. The LS method offers the possibility to control protein characteristics on biomaterial surfaces such as molecular density and thereby, modulate cell responses. KW - collagen-IV KW - basement membrane KW - Langmuir-Schafer films KW - stem cell adhesion KW - protein KW - ellipsometry Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-605X/aaf464 SN - 1748-6041 SN - 1748-605X VL - 14 IS - 2 PB - Inst. of Physics Publ. CY - Bristol ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bhuvanesh, Thanga A1 - Saretia, Shivam A1 - Roch, Toralf A1 - Schöne, Anne-Christin A1 - Rottke, Falko O. A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Wang, Weiwei A1 - Ma, Nan A1 - Schulz, Burkhard A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Langmuir-Schaefer films of fibronectin as designed biointerfaces for culturing stem cells JF - Polymers for advanced technologies N2 - Glycoproteins adsorbing on an implant upon contact with body fluids can affect the biological response in vitro and in vivo, depending on the type and conformation of the adsorbed biomacromolecules. However, this process is poorly characterized and so far not controllable. Here, protein monolayers of high molecular cohesion with defined density are transferred onto polymeric substrates by the Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) technique and were compared with solution deposition (SO) method. It is hypothesized that on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a substrate with poor cell adhesion capacity, the fibronectin (FN) layers generated by the LS and SO methods will differ in their organization, subsequently facilitating differential stem cell adhesion behavior. Indeed, atomic force microscopy visualization and immunofluorescence images indicated that organization of the FN layer immobilized on PDMS was uniform and homogeneous. In contrast, FN deposited by SO method was rather heterogeneous with appearance of structures resembling protein aggregates. Human mesenchymal stem cells showed reduced absolute numbers of adherent cells, and the vinculin expression seemed to be higher and more homogenously distributed after seeding on PDMS equipped with FN by LS in comparison with PDMS equipped with FN by SO. These divergent responses could be attributed to differences in the availability of adhesion molecule ligands such as the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide sequence presented at the interface. The LS method allows to control the protein layer characteristics, including the thickness and the protein orientation or conformation, which can be harnessed to direct stem cell responses to defined outcomes, including migration and differentiation. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KW - Langmuir-Schaefer method KW - protein adsorption KW - stem cell adhesion KW - cell culture KW - fibronectin Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3910 SN - 1042-7147 SN - 1099-1581 VL - 28 SP - 1305 EP - 1311 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Blocki, Anna A1 - Löwenberg, Candy A1 - Jiang, Yi A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Neffe, Axel T. A1 - Jung, Friedrich A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Response of encapsulated cells to a gelatin matrix with varied bulk and microenvironmental elastic properties JF - Polymers for advanced technologies N2 - Gelatin-based hydrogels offer various biochemical cues that support encapsulated cells and are therefore suitable as cell delivery vehicles in regenerative medicine. However, besides the biochemical signals, biomechanical cues are crucial to ensure an optimal support of encapsulated cells. Hence, we aimed to correlate the cellular response of encapsulated cells to macroscopic and microscopic elastic properties of glycidylmethacrylate (GMA)-functionalized gelatin-based hydrogels. To ensure that different observations in cellular behavior could be attributed to differences in elastic properties, an identical concentration as well as degree of functionalization of biopolymers was utilized to form covalently crosslinked hydrogels. Elastic properties were merely altered by varying the average gelatin-chain length. Hydrogels exhibited an increased degree of swelling and a decreased bulk elastic modulus G with prolonged autoclaving of the starting solution. This was accompanied by an increase of hydrogel mesh size and thus by a reduction of crosslinking density. Tougher hydrogels retained the largest amount of cells; however, they also interfered with cell viability. Softer gels contained a lower cell density, but supported cell elongation and viability. Observed differences could be partially attributed to differences in bulk properties, as high crosslinking densities interfere with diffusion and cell spreading and thus can impede cell viability. Interestingly, a microscopic elastic modulus in the range of native soft tissue supported cell viability and elongation best while ensuring a good cell entrapment. In conclusion, gelatin-based hydrogels providing a soft tissue-like microenvironment represent adequate cell delivery vehicles for tissue engineering approaches. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KW - mechanotransduction KW - hydrogel KW - gelatin KW - cell encapsulation KW - matrix elasticity Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3947 SN - 1042-7147 SN - 1099-1581 VL - 28 SP - 1245 EP - 1251 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Deng, Zijun A1 - Wang, Weiwei A1 - Xua, Xun A1 - Gould, Oliver E. C. A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Ma, Nan A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Polymeric sheet actuators with programmable bioinstructivity JF - PNAS N2 - Stem cells are capable of sensing and processing environmental inputs, converting this information to output a specific cell lineage through signaling cascades. Despite the combinatorial nature of mechanical, thermal, and biochemical signals, these stimuli have typically been decoupled and applied independently, requiring continuous regulation by controlling units. We employ a programmable polymer actuator sheet to autonomously synchronize thermal and mechanical signals applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC5). Using a grid on its underside, the shape change of polymer sheet, as well as cell morphology, calcium (Ca2+) influx, and focal adhesion assembly, could be visualized and quantified. This paper gives compelling evidence that the temperature sensing and mechanosensing of MSC5 are interconnected via intracellular Ca2+. Up-regulated Ca2+ levels lead to a remarkable alteration of histone H3K9 acetylation and activation of osteogenic related genes. The interplay of physical, thermal, and biochemical signaling was utilized to accelerate the cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage. The approach of programmable bioinstructivity provides a fundamental principle for functional biomaterials exhibiting multifaceted stimuli on differentiation programs. Technological impact is expected in the tissue engineering of periosteum for treating bone defects. KW - reversible shape-memory actuator KW - mesenchymal stem cells KW - calcium influx KW - HDAC1 KW - RUNX2 Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910668117 SN - 1091-6490 VL - 117 IS - 4 SP - 1895 EP - 1901 PB - National Academy of Sciences CY - Washington, DC ER - TY - GEN A1 - Deng, Zijun A1 - Wang, Weiwei A1 - Xua, Xun A1 - Gould, Oliver E. C. A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Ma, Nan A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Polymeric sheet actuators with programmable bioinstructivity T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Stem cells are capable of sensing and processing environmental inputs, converting this information to output a specific cell lineage through signaling cascades. Despite the combinatorial nature of mechanical, thermal, and biochemical signals, these stimuli have typically been decoupled and applied independently, requiring continuous regulation by controlling units. We employ a programmable polymer actuator sheet to autonomously synchronize thermal and mechanical signals applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC5). Using a grid on its underside, the shape change of polymer sheet, as well as cell morphology, calcium (Ca2+) influx, and focal adhesion assembly, could be visualized and quantified. This paper gives compelling evidence that the temperature sensing and mechanosensing of MSC5 are interconnected via intracellular Ca2+. Up-regulated Ca2+ levels lead to a remarkable alteration of histone H3K9 acetylation and activation of osteogenic related genes. The interplay of physical, thermal, and biochemical signaling was utilized to accelerate the cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage. The approach of programmable bioinstructivity provides a fundamental principle for functional biomaterials exhibiting multifaceted stimuli on differentiation programs. Technological impact is expected in the tissue engineering of periosteum for treating bone defects. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1441 KW - reversible shape-memory actuator KW - mesenchymal stem cells KW - calcium influx KW - HDAC1 KW - RUNX2 Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-515490 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fang, Liang A1 - Gould, Oliver E. C. A1 - Lysyakova, Liudmila A1 - Jiang, Yi A1 - Sauter, Tilman A1 - Frank, Oliver A1 - Becker, Tino A1 - Schossig, Michael A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Implementing and quantifying the shape-memory effect of single polymeric micro/nanowires with an atomic force microscope JF - ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry N2 - 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. KW - cyclic thermomechanical testing KW - atomic force microscopy KW - soft matter micro- and nanowires KW - shape-memory effect KW - materials science Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.201701362 SN - 1439-4235 SN - 1439-7641 VL - 19 IS - 16 SP - 2078 EP - 2084 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fang, Liang A1 - Yan, Wan A1 - Nöchel, Ulrich A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Programming structural functions in phase-segregated polymers by implementing a defined thermomechanical history JF - Polymer : the international journal for the science and technology of polymers N2 - Unwanted shrinkage behaviors or failure in structural functions such as mechanical strength or deformability of polymeric products related to their thermomechanical history are a major challenge in production of plastics. Here, we address the question whether we can turn this challenge into an opportunity by creating defined thermomechanical histories in polymers, represented by a specific morphology and nanostructure, to equip polymeric shaped bodies with desired functions, e.g. a temperature-memory, by hot, warm or cold deformation into multiblock copolymers having two partially overlapping melting transitions. A copolyesterurethane named PDLCL, consisting of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(omega-pentadecalactone) (PPDL) crystalline domains, exhibiting a pronounced phase-segregated morphology and partially overlapping melting transitions was selected for this study. Different types of PCL and PPDL crystals as well as distinct degrees of orientation in both amorphous and crystalline domains were obtained after deformation at 20 or 40 degrees C and to a lower extent at 60 degrees C. The generated non-isotropic structures were stable at ambient temperature and represent the different stresses stored. Stress-free heating experiments showed that the relaxation in both amorphous and crystalline phases occurred predominantly with melting of PCL crystals. When the switching temperature, which was similar to the applied deformation temperature (temperature-memory), was exceeded in stress-free heating experiments, the implemented thermomechanical history could be reversed. In contrast, during constant-strain heating to 60 degrees C the generated structural features remained almost unchanged. These findings provide insights about the structure function relation in multiblock copolymers with two crystalline phases exhibiting a temperature-memory effect by implementation of specific thermomechanical histories, which might be a general principle for tailoring other functions like mechanical strength or deformability in polymers. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. KW - Temperature-memory effect KW - Phase morphology KW - Thermomechanical history Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2016.08.105 SN - 0032-3861 SN - 1873-2291 VL - 102 SP - 54 EP - 62 PB - Elsevier CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Farhan, Muhammad A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Origami hand for soft robotics driven by thermally controlled polymeric fiber actuators JF - MRS communications / a publication of the Materials Research Society N2 - Active fibers can serve as artificial muscles in robotics or components of smart textiles. Here, we present an origami hand robot, where single fibers control the reversible movement of the fingers. A recovery/contracting force of 0.2 N with a work capacity of 0.175 kJ kg(-1) was observed in crosslinked poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (cPEVA) fibers, which could enable the bending movement of the fingers by contraction upon heating. The reversible opening of the fingers was attributed to a combination of elastic recovery force of the origami structure and crystallization-induced elongation of the fibers upon cooling. KW - Robotics KW - Polymer KW - Fiber KW - Actuation KW - Shape-memory Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-021-00058-4 SN - 2159-6859 SN - 2159-6867 VL - 11 IS - 4 SP - 476 EP - 482 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Farhan, Muhammad A1 - Chaudhary, Deeptangshu A1 - Nöchel, Ulrich A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Electrical actuation of coated and composite fibers based on poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] JF - Macromolecular materials and engineering N2 - Robots are typically controlled by electrical signals. Resistive heating is an option to electrically trigger actuation in thermosensitive polymer systems. In this study electrically triggerable poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (PEVA)-based fiber actuators are realized as composite fibers as well as polymer fibers with conductive coatings. In the coated fibers, the core consists of crosslinked PEVA (cPEVA), while the conductive coating shell is achieved via a dip coating procedure with a coating thickness between 10 and 140 mu m. The conductivity of coated fibers sigma = 300-550 S m(-1) is much higher than that of the composite fibers sigma = 5.5 S m(-1). A voltage (U) of 110 V is required to heat 30 cm of coated fiber to a targeted temperature of approximate to 65 degrees C for switching in less than a minute. Cyclic electrical actuation investigations reveal epsilon '(rev) = 5 +/- 1% reversible change in length for coated fibers. The fabrication of such electro-conductive polymeric actuators is suitable for upscaling so that their application potential as artificial muscles can be explored in future studies. KW - artificial muscles KW - fiber actuators KW - resistive heating KW - shape‐memory polymer actuators KW - soft robotics Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202000579 SN - 1438-7492 SN - 1439-2054 VL - 306 IS - 2 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - GEN A1 - Farhan, Muhammad A1 - Chaudhary, Deeptangshu A1 - Nöchel, Ulrich A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Electrical actuation of coated and composite fibers based on poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Robots are typically controlled by electrical signals. Resistive heating is an option to electrically trigger actuation in thermosensitive polymer systems. In this study electrically triggerable poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (PEVA)-based fiber actuators are realized as composite fibers as well as polymer fibers with conductive coatings. In the coated fibers, the core consists of crosslinked PEVA (cPEVA), while the conductive coating shell is achieved via a dip coating procedure with a coating thickness between 10 and 140 mu m. The conductivity of coated fibers sigma = 300-550 S m(-1) is much higher than that of the composite fibers sigma = 5.5 S m(-1). A voltage (U) of 110 V is required to heat 30 cm of coated fiber to a targeted temperature of approximate to 65 degrees C for switching in less than a minute. Cyclic electrical actuation investigations reveal epsilon '(rev) = 5 +/- 1% reversible change in length for coated fibers. The fabrication of such electro-conductive polymeric actuators is suitable for upscaling so that their application potential as artificial muscles can be explored in future studies. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1375 KW - artificial muscles KW - fiber actuators KW - resistive heating KW - shape‐memory polymer actuators KW - soft robotics Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-571679 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 2 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Farhan, Muhammad A1 - Rudolph, Tobias A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Torsional Fiber Actuators from Shape-memory Polymer JF - MRS Advances N2 - Humanoid robots, prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons require soft actuators to perform their primary function, which is controlled movement. In this wont we explored whether crosslinked poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (cPEVA) fibers, with different vinyl acetate (VA) content can serve as torsional fiber actuators. exhibiting temperature controlled reversible rotational changes. Broad melting transitions ranging from 50 to 90 degrees C for cPEVA18-165 or from 40 to 80 degrees C for cPEVA28-165 fibers in combination with complete crystallization at temperatures around 10 degrees C make them suitable actuating materials with adjustable actuation temperature ranges between 10 and 70 degrees C during repetitive cooling and heating. The obtained fibers exhibited a circular cross section with diameters around 0.4 +/- 0.1 mm, while a length of 4 cm was employed for the investigation of reversible rotational actuation after programming by twist insertion using 30 complete rotations at a temperature above melting transition. Repetitive heating and cooling between 10 to 60 degrees C or 70 degrees C of one-end-tethered programmed fibers revealed reversible rotations and torsional force. During cooling 3 +/- 1 complete rotations (Delta theta(r) = + 1080 +/- 360 degrees) in twisting direction were observed, while 4 +/- 1 turns in the opposite direction (Delta theta(r) = - 1440 +/- 1360 degrees) were found during heating. Such torsional fiber actuators, which are capable of approximately one rotation per cm fiber length, can serve as miniaturized rotary motors to provide rotational actuation in futuristic humanoid robots. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.621 SN - 2059-8521 VL - 3 IS - 63 SP - 3861 EP - 3868 PB - Cambridge Univ. Press CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Farhan, Muhammad A1 - Rudolph, Tobias A1 - Nöchel, Ulrich A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Extractable Free Polymer Chains Enhance Actuation Performance of Crystallizable Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Networks and Enable Self-Healing JF - Polymers N2 - 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. KW - shape-memory polymer actuators KW - soft actuators KW - self-healing KW - poly(epsilon-caprolactone) KW - thermoplastics Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10030255 SN - 2073-4360 VL - 10 IS - 3 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Farhan, Muhammad A1 - Rudolph, Tobias A1 - Nöchel, Ulrich A1 - Yan, Wan A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Noncontinuously Responding Polymeric Actuators JF - ACS applied materials & interfaces N2 - Reversible movements of current polymeric actuators stem from the continuous response to signals from a controlling unit, and subsequently cannot be interrupted without stopping or eliminating the input trigger. Here, we present actuators based on cross-linked blends of two crystallizable polymers capable of pausing their movements in a defined manner upon continuous cyclic heating and cooling. This noncontinuous actuation can be adjusted by varying the applied heating and cooling rates. The feasibility of these devices for technological applications was shown in a 140 cycle experiment of free-standing noncontinuous shape shifts, as well as by various demonstrators. KW - soft robotics KW - polymer actuators KW - thermo-sensitivity KW - shape shifting materials KW - crystallization behavior Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b11316 SN - 1944-8244 VL - 9 SP - 33559 EP - 33564 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ghobadi, Ehsan A1 - Heuchel, Matthias A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Simulation of volumetric swelling of degradable poly[(rac-lactide)-co-glycolide] based polyesterurethanes containing different urethane-linkers JF - Journal of applied biomaterials & functional materials N2 - Aim: The hydrolytic degradation behavior of degradable aliphatic polyester-based polymers is strongly influenced by the uptake or transport of water into the polymer matrix and also the hydrolysis rate of ester bonds. Methods: We examined the volumetric swelling behavior of poly[(rac-lactide)-co-glycolide] (PLGA) and PLGA-based polyurethanes (PLGA-PU) with water contents of 0 wt%, 2 wt% and 7 wt% water at 310 K using a molecular modeling approach. Polymer systems with a number average molecular weight of M-n = 10,126 g.mol(-1) were constructed from PLGA with a lactide content of 67 mol%, whereby PLGA-PU systems were composed of five PLGA segments with M-n = 2052 g.mol(-1), which were connected via urethane linkers originated from 2,2,4-trimethyl hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate (TMDI), hexamethyl-1,6-diisocyanate (HDI), or L-lysine-1,6-diisocyanate (LDI). Results: The calculated densities of the dry PLGA-PU systems were found to be lower than for pure PLGA. The obtained volumetric swelling of the PLGA-PU was depending on the type of urethane linker, whereby all swollen PLGA-PUs contained larger free volume distribution compared to pure PLGA. The mean square displacement curves for dry PLGA and PLGA-PUs showed that urethane linker units reduce the mobility of the polymer chains, while an increase in backbone atoms mobility was found, when water was added to these systems. Consequently, an increased water uptake of PLGA-PU matrices combined with a higher mobility of the chain segments should result in an accelerated hydrolytic chain scission rate in comparison to PLGA. Conclusions: It can be anticipated that the incorporation of urethane linkers might be a helpful tool to adjust the degradation behavior of polyesters. KW - Hydrolytic degradation KW - Molecular dynamics simulation KW - Polyesterurethane Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.5301/JABFM.2012.10432 SN - 2280-8000 VL - 10 IS - 3 SP - 293 EP - 301 PB - Wichtig CY - Milano ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ghobadi, Ehsan A1 - Heuchel, Matthias A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Influence of different heating regimes on the shape-recovery behavior of poly(L-lactide) in simulated thermomechanical tests JF - Journal of applied biomaterials & functional materials N2 - Aim: Multifunctional polymer-based biomaterials, which combine degradability with a shape-memory capability and in this way enable the design of actively moving implants such as self-anchoring implants or controlled release systems, have been recently introduced. Of particular interest are approved degradable polymers such as poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), which can be easily functionalized with a shape-memory effect. In the case of semicrystalline PLLA, the glass transition can be utilized as shape-memory switching domain. Methods: In this work we applied a fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulation to study the shape-memory behavior of PLLA. A heating-deformation-cooling programming procedure was applied to atomistic PLLA packing models followed by a recovery module under stress-free conditions allowing the shape recovery. The recovery was simulated by heating the samples from T-low = 250 K to T-high = 500 K with different heating rates beta of 125, 40 and 4 K.ns(-1). Results: We could demonstrate that the obtained strain recovery rate (R-r) was strongly influenced by the applied simulation time and heating rate, whereby R-r values in the range from 46% to 63% were achieved. On its own the application of a heating rate of 4 K.ns(-1) enabled us to determine a characteristic switching temperature of T-sw = 473 K for the modeled samples. Conclusions: We anticipate that the atomistic modeling approach presented should be capable of enabling further study of T-sw with respect to the molecular structure of the investigated SMP and therefore could be applied in the context of design and development of new shape-memory (bio) materials. KW - Molecular modeling KW - Polymers KW - Shape-memory effect Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.5301/JABFM.2012.10440 SN - 2280-8000 VL - 10 IS - 3 SP - 259 EP - 264 PB - Wichtig CY - Milano ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ghobadi, Ehsan A1 - Heuchel, Matthias A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Simulating the shape-Memory behavior of amorphous switching domains of Poly(L-lactide) by molecular dynamics JF - Macromolecular chemistry and physics N2 - The thermally induced shape-memory effect of polymers is typically characterized by cyclic uniaxial thermomechanical tests. Here, a molecular-dynamics (MD) simulation approach of such a cyclic uniaxial thermomechanical test is presented for amorphous switching domains of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). Uniaxial deformation of the constructed PLLA models is simulated with a Parinello-Rahman scheme, as well as a pragmatic geometrical approach. We are able to describe two subsequent test cycles using the presented simulation approach. The obtained simulated shape-memory properties in both test cycles are similar and independent of the applied deformation protocols. The simulated PLLA shows high shape fixity ratios (Rf 94%), but only a moderate shape recovery ratio is obtained (Rr 30%). Finally, the structural changes during the simulated test are characterized by analysis of the changes in the dihedral angle distributions. KW - molecular modeling KW - polyesters KW - shape-memory properties KW - stimuli-sensitive polymers KW - thermomechanical properties Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.201200450 SN - 1022-1352 VL - 214 IS - 11 SP - 1273 EP - 1283 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ghobadi, Ehsan A1 - Heuchel, Matthias A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Atomistic simulation of the shape-memory effect in dry and water swollen Poly[(rac-lactide)-co-glycolide] and copolyester urethanes thereof JF - Macromolecular chemistry and physics N2 - An atomistic molecular dynamics simulation approach is applied to model the influence of urethane linker units as well as the addition of water molecules on the simulated shape-memory properties of poly[(rac-lactide)-co-glycolide] (PLGA) and PLGA-based copolyester urethanes comprising different urethane linkers. The shape-memory performance of these amorphous packing models is explored in a simulated heating-deformation-cooling-heating procedure. Depending on the type of incorporated urethane linker, the mechanical properties of the dry copolyester urethanes are found to be significantly improved compared with PLGA, which can be attributed to the number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the urethane units. Good shape-memory properties are observed for all the modeled systems. In the dry state, the shape fixation is found to be improved by implementation of urethane units. After swelling of the copolymer models with water, which results in a reduction of their glass transition temperatures, the relaxation kinetics during unloading and shape recovery are found to be substantially accelerated. KW - molecular dynamics simulations KW - polyesterurethane KW - shape-memory effect Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.201300507 SN - 1022-1352 SN - 1521-3935 VL - 215 IS - 1 SP - 65 EP - 75 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Haase, Tobias A1 - Krost, Annalena A1 - Sauter, Tilman A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Peter, Jan A1 - Kamann, Stefanie A1 - Jung, Friedrich A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Zohlnhöfer, Dietlind A1 - Rüder, Constantin T1 - In vivo biocompatibility assessment of poly (ether imide) electrospun scaffolds JF - Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine N2 - Poly(ether imide) (PEI), which can be chemically functionalized with biologically active ligands, has emerged as a potential biomaterial for medical implants. Electrospun PEI scaffolds have shown advantageous properties, such as enhanced endothelial cell adherence, proliferation and low platelet adhesion in in vitro experiments. In this study, the in vivo behaviour of electrospun PEI scaffolds and PEI films was examined in a murine subcutaneous implantation model. Electrospun PEI scaffolds and films were surgically implanted subcutaneously in the dorsae of mice. The surrounding subcutaneous tissue response was examined via histopathological examination at 7 and 28days after implantation. No serious adverse events were observed for both types of PEI implants. The presence of macrophages or foreign body giant cells in the vicinity of the implants and the formation of a fibrous capsule indicated a normal foreign body reaction towards PEI films and scaffolds. Capsule thickness and inflammatory infiltration cells significantly decreased for PEI scaffolds during days 7-28 while remaining unchanged for PEI films. The infiltration of cells into the implant was observed for PEI scaffolds 7days after implantation and remained stable until 28days of implantation. Additionally some, but not all, PEI scaffold implants induced the formation of functional blood vessels in the vicinity of the implants. Conclusively, this study demonstrates the in vivo biocompatibility of PEI implants, with favourable properties of electrospun PEI scaffolds regarding tissue integration and wound healing. KW - poly(ether imide) KW - in vivo study KW - electrospun scaffold KW - capsule formation KW - foreign body giant cells KW - vascularization Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/term.2002 SN - 1932-6254 SN - 1932-7005 VL - 11 IS - 4 SP - 1034 EP - 1044 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heuchel, Matthias A1 - Gerber, David A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Morphological analysis of differently sized highly porous poly(ether imide) microparticles by mercury porosimetry JF - Polymers for advanced technologies N2 - Highly porous poly(ether imide) (PEI) microparticles prepared by a spraying/coagulation process are discussed as candidate adsorber materials for apheresis applications, i.e. removal of uremic toxins from the blood of renal failure patients. PEI particles obtained by the aforementioned procedure can have a broad size distribution with particle diameters ranging from 20 to 800 mu m. In order to further estimate the adsorption behavior of PEI microparticles packed in application relevant apheresis modules, a quantitative information about the relation between particle size and pore morphology is required. In this study, we explored whether the intraparticle porosity of PEI microparticles varies with altering the diameter of the particulate adsorbers. By an analytical wet sieving procedure, the obtained PEI microparticles were separated into five size fractions, which were analyzed by mercury intrusion porosimetry, nitrogen adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy. Mercury intrusion porosimetry revealed for all size fractions high porosity values in the range from 78% to 84% with pore diameters in the range from 10 to 1000nm. A bimodal pore size distribution was found having a first peak at around 100nm, while a second pronounced peak maximum was found at higher pore sizes that increased with raising particle diameter from 300nm for the smallest particle size fraction (50-100 mu m) to 700nm for particles with a diameter of 200 to 250 mu m. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that the main PEI particle size fraction (200-250 mu m) should exhibit the highest adsorption capacity in an apheresis module. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KW - porous microparticles KW - poly(ether imide) KW - mercury intrusion porosimetry KW - adsorber materials Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3973 SN - 1042-7147 SN - 1099-1581 VL - 28 SP - 1269 EP - 1277 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER -