Search Results (178)

The management of complex acute and chronic wounds remains a formidable challenge in modern medicine, underscoring the urgent need for advanced therapeutic strategies that accelerate healing, prevent infection, and promote functional tissue regeneration. Electrospun nanofibers have attracted considerable attention in the biomedical field due to their extracellular matrix-like architecture, high surface area, interconnected porosity, and tunable physicochemical composition, which drive advances in wound regeneration, tissue engineering, and biopolymer-based therapeutics. In wound healing, nanofibrous dressings composed of natural polymers such as chitosan, gelatin, collagen, and cellulose promote cell attachment and proliferation, support angiogenesis, and enable infection control while delivering bioactive agents, thereby addressing significant challenges related to inflammation, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial resistance. In tissue engineering, aligned and hierarchically organized scaffolds fabricated from biopolymers such as collagen, gelatin, chitosan, and cellulose enhance the guided orientation of cells, differentiation, and functional regeneration of neural, musculoskeletal, vascular, and skin tissues. In addition to their conventional regenerative applications, recent studies have demonstrated that electrospun biopolymer nanofibers can be used in multifunctional biomedical platforms, including smart and stimuli-responsive systems for drug delivery, biosensing, regenerative interfaces, and wearable medical technologies. The integrated constructs that incorporate diagnostic or therapeutic functionalities, hybrid fabrication approaches that combine 3D printing with electrospinning, and intelligent biopolymer frameworks that enable telemedicine, real-time physiological monitoring, and personalized regenerative therapies offer new opportunities for developing improved biomedical systems. Overall, these advances position electrospun nanofiber systems as promising biomaterials for next-generation biomedical innovation. This review summarizes recent progress in tissue-engineered scaffolds, wound dressings, fabrication strategies for integrative therapeutics, and wearable devices with transformative potential for biomedical applications. Finally, the review addresses significant challenges related to scalability and clinical translation. It offers perspectives on future directions, including the integration of artificial intelligence and the regeneration of complex skin appendages, which will shape the next generation of nanofiber-based wound-healing therapies. Full article

Wearable health monitoring systems (WHMS) are recognized as key enablers of continuous real-time physiological sensing in healthcare, eldercare, sports, and occupational safety. However, current devices face critical limitations due to their dependence on non-renewable batteries, rigid substrates, and non-degradable electronic components, which contribute to environmental waste and limit long-term usability. This study aims to explore the development of sustainable, energy-autonomous WHMS that integrate multimodal energy harvesting, including triboelectric, piezoelectric, photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and radio frequency, with biodegradable and bioresorbable electronics using silk fibroin, cellulose nanofibers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), magnesium, and transient silicon. This unified system architecture would further comprise harvesters, power management circuits, energy buffers, low-power sensing front-ends, and tiny machine learning-enabled data processing. The methodology emphasizes energy-neutral operation through duty-cycling, harvest-aware scheduling, and compressive sensing. Simulation and modeling results indicate harvested power densities between 100 and 220 µW·cm⁻², sufficient to sustain electrocardiography, photoplethysmography, and temperature monitoring under realistic daily use profiles. Material degradation studies demonstrate predictable dissolution kinetics over 8–20 weeks in physiological conditions, aligning with safety and environmental goals. By uniting sustainable materials science with energy-efficient circuit design, this work establishes a blueprint for the next generation of eco-friendly, clinically relevant, and ethically responsible wearable health technologies. Full article

The design of multifunctional biomaterials that offer both structural support and biochemical cues is essential for enhancing tissue regeneration. In this study, hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds composed of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and bioactive factors secreted by Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were fabricated via co-electrospinning. Nanofibers were produced in aligned and random configurations following an optimized protocol developed at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). Their morphology and topography were characterized by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fiber orientation was quantified via Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. The scaffolds showed fiber diameters of 542.9 ± 62.3 nm, with aligned fibers predominantly oriented within 20° of the principal axis. Human AD-MSCs were used to assess biocompatibility and cell–material interactions. Aligned and random nanofiber architectures elicited distinct cellular responses. AD-MSCs on aligned fibers exhibited smaller spreading areas (~320 μm²) vs. on random nanofibers (~500 μm²) and substantially higher proliferation, resulting in a shorter cell-doubling time (~25 h) than those on random nanofibers (~130 h) or control substrates (~70 h). In addition, aligned nanofibers promoted markedly faster migration, reaching rates of ~5000 μm²/h surface coverage, compared with random nanofibers (~770 μm²/h) and controls (~1800 μm²/h). Together, the results show that nanofiber alignment and biochemical functionalization jointly influence MSC behavior and improve regeneration, highlighting the potential of these PLCL-based hybrid secretome/PLCL nanofibers for advanced wound healing. Full article

Thermal interface materials are critical components for ensuring efficient heat dissipation in thermal management systems. The current research focus is to fabricate thermal interface materials (TIMs) that demonstrate high thermal conductivity while at low filler loadings. In this study, an aligned, thermally conductive skeleton was fabricated via the freeze casting method, utilizing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and nickel (Ni) particles. This skeleton was subsequently infiltrated with silicone rubber (SR) to obtain the polymer composite. Within the aligned skeleton, CNFs and Ni particles are densely packed, with the Ni particles acting as conductive bridges between adjacent CNFs. This bridging effect facilitates a substantial enhancement in the overall thermal conductivity with only a minimal addition of Ni. By combining the skeleton’s microstructure with thermal performance, the effects of key parameters on thermal conductivity were systematically investigated. A maximum thermal conductivity improvement of 64.8% was achieved by hybridizing CNFs with a small amount of Ni (1.09 vol%) compared to the CNF-only counterpart. Furthermore, at a low total loading (8.02 vol% CNFs and 1.09 vol% Ni), the composite achieved a thermal conductivity of 3.30 W/(m·K). This value was 47.2% higher than that of a CNF-only TIM and 36.2% higher than that of a composite prepared by common freezing under the same filler composition. Additionally, the incorporation of Ni enhanced the composite’s thermal stability. Moreover, the composite exhibited a favorable combination of enhanced mechanical strength and excellent elasticity. Full article

Tendon injuries, whether resulting from trauma, repetitive strain, or degenerative conditions, present a considerable clinical challenge. The natural healing process, which involves inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases, is often inefficient and leads to excessive scar tissue formation, ultimately compromising the mechanical properties of the tendon compared to its native state. This highlights the critical need for innovative approaches to enhance tendon repair and regeneration. Leveraging the regenerative properties of human amniotic membrane (HAM) and electrospun PCL/gelatin nanofibers, this study aims to develop and assess a novel composite scaffold in a rodent model to facilitate improved tendon healing. This prospective experimental study involved 12 male Sprague Dawley rats (250–300 g), randomly assigned to three groups: Group A (No Treatment/No HAM), Group B (HAM-treated), and Group C (HAM with electrospun nanofibers, HAM-NF). A surgically induced tendon injury was created in the left hind limb, while the right limb served as a control. Following surgery, HAM and HAM-NF (0.5 cm²) were applied to the respective treatment groups, and tendon healing was assessed after six weeks. Gait analysis, including stride length and toe-out angle, was conducted both pre-operatively and six weeks post-operatively. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were performed on harvested tendons to assess regeneration, comparing treated groups to the controls. Gait analysis demonstrated that the HAM-NF group showed a significant increase in stride length from 11.70 ± 1.50 cm to 12.79 ± 1.71 cm (p < 0.05), with only a modest change in toe-out angle (14.58 ± 2.96° to 16.27 ± 2.20°). In contrast, the No Treatment group exhibited reduced stride length (10.27 ± 2.17 cm to 8.40 ± 1.67 cm) and a marked increase in toe-out angle (16.33 ± 4.51° to 26.47 ± 5.81°, p < 0.05), while the HAM-only group showed mild changes in both parameters. Macroscopic evaluation showed a significant difference in tendon healing. HAM-NF group had the highest score that indicates more rapid tissue regeneration. Histological analysis after 6 weeks showed that tendons treated with HAM-NF achieved a mean histological score of 5.54 ± 4.14, closely resembling the uninjured tendon (6.67 ± 1.63), indicating substantial regenerative potential. The combination of human amniotic membrane (HAM) and electrospun nanofibers presents significant potential as an effective strategy for tendon regeneration. The HAM/NF group exhibited consistent improvements in gait parameters and histological outcomes, closely mirroring those of uninjured tendons. These preliminary results indicate that this biomaterial-based approach can enhance both functional recovery and structural integrity, providing a promising pathway for advanced tendon repair therapies. Full article

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers have emerged as promising materials for flexible piezoelectric sensors, yet their performance is fundamentally constrained by the limited formation and alignment of the electroactive β-phase. In this study, we report a phase-engineering strategy that integrates ionic functionalization, inorganic nanofiller incorporation, and post-fabrication corona poling to achieve enhanced crystalline ordering and electromechanical coupling in electrospun PVDF nanofibers. Tetrabutylammonium perchlorate increases solution conductivity, enabling uniform, bead-free fiber formation, while barium titanate nanoparticles act as nucleation centers that promote β-phase crystallization at the expense of the non-polar α-phase. Subsequent corona poling further aligns molecular dipoles and strengthens remnant polarization within both the PVDF matrix and embedded nanoparticles. Structural analyses confirm the synergistic evolution of crystalline phases, and piezoelectric measurements demonstrate a substantial increase in peak-to-peak output voltage under dynamic loading conditions. This combined phase-engineering approach provides a simple and scalable route to high-performance PVDF-based piezoelectric sensors and highlights the importance of coupling crystallization control with dipole alignment in designing next-generation wearable electromechanical materials. Full article

Epithelial tissues form protective barriers throughout the body, covering external surfaces and lining internal cavities. Nanofibrous scaffolds have emerged as leading platforms in tissue engineering because of their ability to mimic the nanoscale fibrillar architecture of the native extracellular matrix. Thus, they support the optimal microstructure and cellular functions that facilitate the generation of epithelial tissues. This review focuses on the pivotal role of nanofibrous scaffolds in the development of physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) culture systems for various types of epithelial cells. Nanofiber proper ties, including diameter, alignment, and surface chemistry, can be tailored to modulate epithelial cell attachment and growth on scaffolds. Fabrication techniques and optimized scaffold properties for culturing epithelial cells from various epithelial tissues on nanofibrous scaffolds have been examined. The key 3D culture methodologies and coculture systems that incorporate fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, which are essential for achieving functional differentiation into an epithelium, are elucidated. Finally, the current challenges in this field and potential future directions, including the integration of scaffolds into organ-on-a-chip systems, development of “smart” bioactive materials, and pursuit of personalized medicine through patient-derived cells, are discussed. Full article

High-performance spun bionanocomposite fibers, composed of high-molecular-weight chitosan (HMW), low-molecular-weight chitosan “oligomers” (LMW), and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), were successfully fabricated via gel spinning of viscous aqueous chitosan (CHI) based formulations into a NaOH coagulation bath. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the incorporation of cellulose nanofibers contributed to enhance crystallinity of chitosan in spun fibers. The spinning process, which comprised sequential acidic solubilization, basic neutralization, stretching, and drying steps, produced chitosan/CNF composite fibers with high crystallinity, further enhanced by the incorporation of low molecular weight chitosan. The cellulose nanofibers seem to promote CHI crystallization, by acting as nucleation sites for the nucleation and growth of chitosan crystals, with those latter of LMW further enhancing crystallization and orientation due to higher mobility of shorter polymer chains. Two-dimensional XRD patterns demonstrated the preferential alignment of both CNFs and chitosan crystals along the fiber axis. Increasing the proportion of short-chain chitosan led to a reduction of the viscosity of collodion, facilitating the spinning of solutions with higher polymer concentrations. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the addition of low-molecular-weight chitosan (LMW), with an intermediate molecular weight Mw of ~4.4 × 10⁴ g/mol, produced the most significant improvements in the crystallinity index (CrI) and orientation. This structural enhancement corresponded to superior mechanical properties like Young’s modulus, yield stress σ_y, and stress-at-break σ_b of the processed composite fibers. By incorporating that intermediate molecular weight chitosan, a Young’s modulus as high as 20 GPa was achieved for the spun composite fibers, which was twice higher than the modulus of around 10 GPa obtained by adding the lowest molecular weight chitosan of Mw ~ 2.9 × 10⁴ g/mol in the composite, and largely above the modulus of around 5 GPa obtained for fiber just spun with chitosan without incorporation of cellulose nanofibers. Full article

Silicon (Si) is a promising high-capacity anode material for lithium–ion batteries but faces challenges such as severe volume fluctuations during cycles and the formation of unstable solid-electrolyte interphase films on the electrode surface. To address these limitations, we developed a bioinspired Si@C composite anode through polydopamine-mediated self-assembly of aromatic polyamide nanofibers and nano–Si, followed by controlled pyrolysis at 1000 °C under N₂. The resulting hierarchical architecture mimics the symbiotic root-nodule structure of legumes, featuring vascular bundle-like carbon frameworks and chemically bonded Si/C interfaces. The optimized composite delivers an initial capacity of 1107.0 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and retains 580.0 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles with 52.4% retention. The exceptional electrochemical properties arise from the optimized architecture and surface interactions. The nature-inspired carbon network minimizes ionic transport resistance via vertically aligned porous pathways while simultaneously boosting lithium–ion adsorption capacity. Furthermore, radially aligned graphitic ribbons are generated through controlled polyamide thermal transformation that effectively mitigates electrode swelling and maintains stable interfacial layers during cycling. Full article

In this study, COOH-functionalized co-polymer of acrylonitrile and itaconic acid (P(AN-co-IA)) is synthesized via free radical copolymerization using DMSO as solvent. The continuous non-aligned carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with different amounts of metallocene (zirconocene and ferrocene) are fabricated through electrospinning, followed by a series of heat treatments under an inert atmosphere. The influence of metallocenes on electrospun carbon nanofiber diameter, alignment, and structural ordering was systematically investigated using FESEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM. Incorporation of dual metallocenes significantly alters the fiber diameter, improves orientation, and promotes graphitic domain formation at 1100 °C, a much lower temperature than conventional graphitization. The optimized sample (Zr-Fe)₁-P(AN-co-IA)-eGNF) exhibited the lowest I_D/I_G ratio compared to pristine and all prepared samples, indicating an improved degree of graphitization due to the uniform distribution of metallocene nanofiber matrix. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of optimized (Zr-Fe)₁-P(AN-co-IA)-eGNF reached the highest value (1654.5 S/m) due to the high degree of graphitization of carbon nanofibers. These results show that integrating dual metallocene is an efficient pathway for tailoring nanofiber morphology and achieving conductive, structurally ordered electrospun eGNFs at reduced temperatures, with potential applications in various fields. Full article

Electrospinning has evolved into a vital nanofiber production technique with broad applications across biomedical, environmental, and industrial sectors. Alternating current (AC) and pulsed voltage (PV) electrospinning offer transformative alternatives by utilizing time-varying electric fields to overcome the drawbacks of DC electrospinning by employing an oscillating electric field that facilitates balanced charge dynamics, improved jet stability, and collectorless operation, leading to enhanced fiber alignment and significantly higher production rates, with reports exceeding 20 g/h. Conversely, PV electrospinning applies intermittent high-voltage pulses, offering precise control over jet initiation and termination. This method enables the fabrication of ultrafine, bead-free, and structurally uniform fibers, making it particularly suitable for biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery and tissue scaffolds. Both techniques support tunable fiber morphology, reduced diameter variability, and improved structural uniformity, contributing to the advancement of high-performance nanofiber materials. This review examines the underlying electrohydrodynamic mechanisms, charge transport behavior, equipment configurations, and performance metrics associated with AC and PV electrospinning. It further highlights key innovations, current limitations in scalability and standardization, and prospective research directions. Full article

Wound healing is a complex biological process that benefits from advanced biomaterials capable of modulating inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. In this study, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs) were green-synthesized using Hemerocallis citrina extract, which served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The CeO₂NPs exhibited a spherical morphology, a face-centered cubic crystalline structure, and an average size of 9.39 nm, as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and TEM analyses. These nanoparticles demonstrated no cytotoxicity and promoted fibroblast migration, while significantly suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, NO, and ROS) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Gene expression analysis indicated M2 macrophage polarization, with upregulation of Arg-1, IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-β. Aligned polycaprolactone/polylactic acid (PCL/PLA) nanofibers embedded with CeO₂NPs were fabricated using electrospinning. The composite nanofibers exhibited desirable physicochemical properties, including porosity, mechanical strength, swelling behavior, and sustained cerium ions release. In a rat full-thickness wound model, the CeO₂ nanofiber-treated group showed a 22% enhancement in wound closure compared to the control on day 11. Histological evaluation revealed reduced inflammation, enhanced granulation tissue, neovascularization, and increased collagen deposition. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of CeO₂-incorporated nanofiber scaffolds for accelerated wound repair and inflammation modulation. Full article

This review is different from previous studies focusing on polypyrrole (PPy) in universal fields such as sensors and supercapacitors. It is the first TO systematically review the specific applications of PPy-based electrospun nanofiber composites in the biomedical field, focusing on its biocompatibility regulation mechanism and tissue repair function. Although PPy exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity, redox activity, and biocompatibility, its clinical translation is hindered by processing challenges and poor degradability. These limitations can be significantly mitigated through composite strategies with degradable nanomaterials, enhancing both process compatibility and biofunctionality. Leveraging the morphological similarity between electrospun nanofibers and the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), this work comprehensively analyzes the topological characteristics of three composite fiber architectures—randomly distributed, aligned, and core–shell structures—and elucidates their application mechanisms in nerve regeneration, skin repair, bone mineralization, and myocardial tissue reconstruction (e.g., facilitating oriented cell migration and regulating differentiation through specific signaling pathway activation). The study further highlights critical challenges in the field, including PPy’s poor solubility, limited spinnability, insufficient mechanical strength, and scalability limitations. Future efforts should prioritize the development of multifunctional gradient composites, intelligent dynamic-responsive scaffolds, and standardized biosafety evaluation systems to accelerate the substantive translation of these materials into clinical applications. Full article

This study presents the development and comprehensive characterization of biopolymer-based nanofibrous composites composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS), boric acid (BA), and a natural antifungal agent natamycin (NAT), designed for therapeutic applications. A dual-layer 3D-fiber composite (PVA/CS/BA_PVA/NAT) was successfully fabricated using a layer-by-layer 3D bioprinting technique and electro-spinning, integrating BA into the core matrix and NAT into the outer layer. Mechanical tests revealed a significantly improved elastic modulus of 763.04 ± 14.54 MPa and the highest ultimate tensile stress (50.45 ± 2.58 MPa) among all samples. Despite a moderate strain at break (11.77 ± 0.49%), the composite preserved sufficient elasticity suitable for biological interfaces. Morphological assessment via SEM confirmed the successful deposition of continuous and bead-free nanofibers, with controlled fiber alignment and reduced average fiber diameters, especially in the BA-incorporated structure. The dual-layered system displayed enhanced uniformity and structural coherence. The drug release analysis demonstrated sustained NAT delivery over a 90 min period. Kinetic modeling showed a high correlation with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R² > 0.99), suggesting diffusion-controlled release, supported by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model’s Fickian diffusion exponent. In contrast, zero- and first-order models exhibited weaker fits, underscoring the relevance of a matrix-based release mechanism governed by the layered configuration. Crucially, antifungal assays against Candida albicans revealed substantial bioactivity. The PVA/CS/BA_PVA/NAT formulation achieved the largest inhibition zone (1.64 ± 0.13 cm), significantly outperforming single-layer controls such as PVA/CS/BA (1.25 ± 0.08 cm) and PVA/CS_PVA/NAT (1.43 ± 0.08 cm), while neat PVA exhibited no inhibition. These results confirm the synergistic antifungal efficacy of BA and NAT within the dual-layer structure. Together, these findings highlight the potential of the 3D-printed PVA/CS/BA_PVA/NAT composite as a mechanically robust, morphologically optimized, and bioactive platform for antifungal therapy and wound-healing applications. Full article

Laser-generated structures have a huge potential to induce an alignment of biological cells, which may be important for various fields in medicine and biotechnology. We describe the formation of fs-laser-induced micro- and nanostructures for achieving the directed growth of Schwann cells, a type of glial cell that can support the regeneration of nerve pathways by guiding the neuronal axons in the direction of their alignment. Polymer surfaces, i.e., polycarbonate (PC) or cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), were exposed to the beam of a 1040 nm Yb-based amplified fs-laser system with a pulse length of about 350 fs. With appropriate parameters, the laser exposure resulted in a surface topography with oriented micro-grooves, which, for PC, were covered with nano-ripples. Schwann cell growth on these substrates was inspected after 3 to 5 days of cultivation by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We show that Schwann cells can grow in a certain direction, predetermined by micro-groove or nano-ripple orientation. In contrast, cells cultivated on randomly oriented nanofibers or unstructured surfaces show an omnidirectional growth behavior. This method may be used in the future to produce nerve conduits for the treatment of injuries to the peripheral nervous system. Full article