Silk fibroin (SF) nanofiber scaffold containing microalgae Spirulina extract were prepared by electrospinning and the performance and functionality of the scaffold were evaluated. The viscosity and conductivity of the dope solution of Spirulina containing SF were examined for electrospinability and we found that the morphological structure of SF nanofiber is affected by the concentration of Spirulina extract added. The platelet adhesion and coagulation time test confirmed that the Spirulina containing SF nanofiber scaffold had excellent ability to prevent blood clotting or antithrombogenicity that is comparable to heparin. Low cytotoxicity and excellent cell adhesion and proliferation were also observed for Sprulina containing SF nanofiber scaffold by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and confocal fluorescence microscope using fibroblast and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Based on these results, we believe SF nanofiber scaffold containing Spirulina extract has the potential to be used as tissue engineering scaffold that requires high hemocompatibility.
Using the molecularly designed porogen (pore generating agent) approach, novel nanoporous low-k materials with improved mechanical properties have been achieved based on poly(methylsilsesquioxane), PMSSQ, structure. Two different methods, microphase separation system and grafted porogen system, were adopted to realize nonporous ultra low-k dielectrics with superior mechanical properties. We found that the behavior of dielectric constant as well as thin film modulus depends on the molecular structure of a porogen. Within the decomposition temperature windows of grafted porogens, a low-k material with k < 2.2 and Young's modulus > 6 GPa was achieved, These results indicate that it is possible to design and fabricate nanoporous thin films with balanced low dielectric constant and robust mechanical properties, which are highly desired for microelectronic industry.
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