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Zhang X, Liu J, Deng Z. Bismuth-based liquid metals: advances, applications, and prospects. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:1369-1394. [PMID: 38224183 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01722b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Bismuth-based liquid metals (LMs) are a large group of alloys with melting points slightly above room temperature. They are associated with fewer encapsulation constraints than room temperature LMs such as mercury, sodium-potassium alloys, and gallium-based alloys and are more likely to remain stable in the natural environment. In addition, their low melting point properties enable them to soften and melt via easy control. Bismuth-based alloys can also be modified with metal-based, carbon-based, and ceramic-based micro/nano particles as well as polymeric materials to create a series of novel composites owing to their outstanding functions. Based on these considerations, this review provides a comprehensive overview of bismuth-based LMs. The categories of bismuth and bismuth-based LMs are first briefly introduced to better systematize the physical and chemical properties of bismuth-based LMs. Based on these properties, bismuth-based LMs have been prepared using various methods, and this review briefly categorizes these preparation methods based on their finished forms (lumps, powders, and films). In addition, this review details the research progress of bismuth-based LMs in the fields of printed electronics, 3D printing, thermal management, biomedicine, chemical engineering, and deformable robotics. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities of bismuth-based LMs in the development process are discussed and visualized from different perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xilong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongshan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Qi J, Yang S, Jiang Y, Cheng J, Wang S, Rao Q, Jiang X. Liquid Metal-Polymer Conductor-Based Conformal Cyborg Devices. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2081-2137. [PMID: 38393351 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Gallium-based liquid metal (LM) exhibits exceptional properties such as high conductivity and biocompatibility, rendering it highly valuable for the development of conformal bioelectronics. When combined with polymers, liquid metal-polymer conductors (MPC) offer a versatile platform for fabricating conformal cyborg devices, enabling functions such as sensing, restoration, and augmentation within the human body. This review focuses on the synthesis, fabrication, and application of MPC-based cyborg devices. The synthesis of functional materials based on LM and the fabrication techniques for MPC-based devices are elucidated. The review provides a comprehensive overview of MPC-based cyborg devices, encompassing their applications in sensing diverse signals, therapeutic interventions, and augmentation. The objective of this review is to serve as a valuable resource that bridges the gap between the fabrication of MPC-based conformal devices and their potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Qi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P. R. China
| | - Shuaijian Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yizhou Jiang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, P. R. China
| | - Jinhao Cheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Saijie Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Qingyan Rao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xingyu Jiang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088, Xueyuan Rd, Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
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Cao Y, Fan L, Gao J, Zhu X, Wu B, Wang H, Wang B, Shi J, Liu J. Magnetic and injectable Fe-doped liquid metals for controlled movement and photothermal/electromagnetic therapy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:2313-2323. [PMID: 38268450 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02501b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
As a multifunctional material, gallium-based liquid metal (LM) mixtures with metal particles dispersed in the LM environment display many excellent and intriguing properties. In this study, biomaterials were prepared by mixing Fe particles with LM for easily manageable photothermal or electromagnetic therapy and evaluated. Clinically, the fabricated 5%Fe/LM sample was injectable and radiopaque, which allowed its smooth delivery through a syringe to the target tissues, where it could help achieve clear imaging under CT. Meanwhile, because of the loading of Fe particles, the 5%Fe/LM possessed a magnetic property, implying a high manipulation capability. According to the experiments, the capsule containing 5%Fe/LM when placed in an isolated pig large intestine could move as desired to the designated position through an external magnet. Further, the biosafety and low toxicity of the 5%Fe/LM were confirmed by cytotoxicity tests in vitro, and the temperature changes at the interface between the 5%Fe/LM and intestinal tissue after near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation were determined through theoretical modeling and numerical simulation data analysis. Due to the excellent photothermal and magnetothermal effects of LM, the temperature of the 5%Fe/LM injected into the rabbit abdominal cavity could significantly increase under NIR laser or alternating magnetic field (AMF) administration. As a novel functional biomaterial, the 5%Fe/LM exhibited promising potential for designated position movement and photothermal or magnetothermal therapy in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Cao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Linlin Fan
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100035, China.
| | - Jianye Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Bingjie Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Hongzhang Wang
- Center of Double Helix, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jun Shi
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Xu H, Lu J, Xi Y, Wang X, Liu J. Liquid metal biomaterials: translational medicines, challenges and perspectives. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwad302. [PMID: 38213519 PMCID: PMC10776368 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Until now, significant healthcare challenges and growing urgent clinical requirements remain incompletely addressed by presently available biomedical materials. This is due to their inadequate mechanical compatibility, suboptimal physical and chemical properties, susceptibility to immune rejection, and concerns about long-term biological safety. As an alternative, liquid metal (LM) opens up a promising class of biomaterials with unique advantages like biocompatibility, flexibility, excellent electrical conductivity, and ease of functionalization. However, despite the unique advantages and successful explorations of LM in biomedical fields, widespread clinical translations and applications of LM-based medical products remain limited. This article summarizes the current status and future prospects of LM biomaterials, interprets their applications in healthcare, medical imaging, bone repair, nerve interface, and tumor therapy, etc. Opportunities to translate LM materials into medicine and obstacles encountered in practices are discussed. Following that, we outline a blueprint for LM clinics, emphasizing their potential in making new-generation artificial organs. Last, the core challenges of LM biomaterials in clinical translation, including bio-safety, material stability, and ethical concerns are also discussed. Overall, the current progress, translational medicine bottlenecks, and perspectives of LM biomaterials signify their immense potential to drive future medical breakthroughs and thus open up novel avenues for upcoming clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanchi Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084,China
- Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing102218, China
| | - Jincheng Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084,China
- Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing102218, China
| | - Yikuang Xi
- Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Shanghai200233, China
| | - Xuelin Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing100191, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084,China
- Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
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Fan L, Chen S, Yang M, Liu Y, Liu J. Metallic Materials for Bone Repair. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302132. [PMID: 37883735 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Repair of large bone defects caused by trauma or disease poses significant clinical challenges. Extensive research has focused on metallic materials for bone repair because of their favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and manufacturing processes. Traditional metallic materials, such as stainless steel and titanium alloys, are widely used in clinics. Biodegradable metallic materials, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc alloys, are promising candidates for bone repair because of their ability to degrade over time. Emerging metallic materials, such as porous tantalum and bismuth alloys, have gained attention as bone implants owing to their bone affinity and multifunctionality. However, these metallic materials encounter many practical difficulties that require urgent improvement. This article systematically reviews and analyzes the metallic materials used for bone repair, providing a comprehensive overview of their morphology, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and in vivo implantation. Furthermore, the strategies and efforts made to address the short-comings of metallic materials are summarized. Finally, the perspectives for the development of metallic materials to guide future research and advancements in clinical practice are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Fan
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, China
| | - Sen Chen
- Institute for Frontier Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Minghui Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, China
| | - Yajun Liu
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, China
- Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Gao S, Yang Y, Falchevskaya AS, Vinogradov VV, Yuan B, Liu J, Sun X. Phase Transition Liquid Metal Enabled Emerging Biomedical Technologies and Applications. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2306692. [PMID: 38145958 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Phase change materials that can absorb or release large amounts of heat during phase transition, play a critical role in many important processes, including heat dissipation, thermal energy storage, and solar energy utilization. In general, phase change materials are usually encapsulated in passive modules to provide assurance for energy management. The shape and mechanical changes of these materials are greatly ignored. An emerging class of phase change materials, liquid metals (LMs) have attracted significant interest beyond thermal management, including in transformable robots, flexible electronics, soft actuators, and biomedicine. Interestingly, the melting point of LM is highly tunable around body temperature, allowing it to experience considerable stiffness change when interacting with human organisms during solid-liquid change, which brings about novel phenomena, applied technologies, and therapeutic methods, such as mechanical destruction of tumors, neural electrode implantation technique, and embolization therapy. This review focuses on the technology, regulation, and application of the phase change process along with diverse changes of LM to facilitate emerging biomedical applications based on the influences of mechanical stiffness change and versatile regulation strategies. Typical applications will also be categorized and summarized. Lastly, the advantages and challenges of using the unique and reversible process for biomedicine will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Gao
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yaxiong Yang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Aleksandra S Falchevskaya
- International Institute "Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies" (SCAMT), ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Vladimir V Vinogradov
- International Institute "Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies" (SCAMT), ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, 191002, Russia
| | - Bo Yuan
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xuyang Sun
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
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Zheng N, Jiang Y, Jiang S, Kim J, Chen G, Li Y, Cheng JX, Jia X, Yang C. Multifunctional Fiber-Based Optoacoustic Emitter as a Bidirectional Brain Interface. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300430. [PMID: 37451259 PMCID: PMC10592200 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
A bidirectional brain interface with both "write" and "read" functions can be an important tool for fundamental studies and potential clinical treatments for neurological diseases. Herein, a miniaturized multifunctional fiber-based optoacoustic emitter (mFOE) is reported thatintegrates simultaneous optoacoustic stimulation for "write" and electrophysiology recording of neural circuits for "read". Because of the intrinsic ability of neurons to respond to acoustic wave, there is no requirement of the viral transfection. The orthogonality between optoacoustic waves and electrical field provides a solution to avoid the interference between electrical stimulation and recording. The stimulation function of the mFOE is first validated in cultured ratcortical neurons using calcium imaging. In vivo application of mFOE for successful simultaneous optoacoustic stimulation and electrical recording of brain activities is confirmed in mouse hippocampus in both acute and chronical applications up to 1 month. Minor brain tissue damage is confirmed after these applications. The capability of simultaneous neural stimulation and recording enabled by mFOE opens up new possibilities for the investigation of neural circuits and brings new insights into the study of ultrasound neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zheng
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jongwoon Kim
- Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yueming Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ji-Xin Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoting Jia
- Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Han F, Meng Q, Xie E, Li K, Hu J, Chen Q, Li J, Han F. Engineered biomimetic micro/nano-materials for tissue regeneration. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1205792. [PMID: 37469449 PMCID: PMC10352664 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1205792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of tissue and organ damage caused by various diseases is increasing worldwide. Tissue engineering is a promising strategy of tackling this problem because of its potential to regenerate or replace damaged tissues and organs. The biochemical and biophysical cues of biomaterials can stimulate and induce biological activities such as cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, and ultimately achieve tissue repair and regeneration. Micro/nano materials are a special type of biomaterial that can mimic the microstructure of tissues on a microscopic scale due to its precise construction, further providing scaffolds with specific three-dimensional structures to guide the activities of cells. The study and application of biomimetic micro/nano-materials have greatly promoted the development of tissue engineering. This review aims to provide an overview of the different types of micro/nanomaterials, their preparation methods and their application in tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Han
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingchen Meng
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - En Xie
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kexin Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianglong Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaying Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengxuan Han
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- China Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Ping B, Zhou G, Zhang Z, Guo R. Liquid metal enabled conformal electronics. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1118812. [PMID: 36815876 PMCID: PMC9935617 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1118812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of three-dimensional common electronics that can be directly pasted on arbitrary surfaces in the fields of human health monitoring, intelligent robots and wearable electronic devices has aroused people's interest, especially in achieving stable adhesion of electronic devices on biological dynamic three-dimensional interfaces and high-quality signal acquisition. In recent years, liquid metal (LM) materials have been widely used in the manufacture of flexible sensors and wearable electronic devices because of their excellent tensile properties and electrical conductivity at room temperature. In addition, LM has good biocompatibility and can be used in a variety of biomedical applications. Here, the recent development of LM flexible electronic printing methods for the fabrication of three-dimensional conformal electronic devices on the surface of human tissue is discussed. These printing methods attach LM to the deformable substrate in the form of bulk or micro-nano particles, so that electronic devices can adapt to the deformation of human tissue and other three-dimensional surfaces, and maintain stable electrical properties. Representative examples of applications such as self-healing devices, degradable devices, flexible hybrid electronic devices, variable stiffness devices and multi-layer large area circuits are reviewed. The current challenges and prospects for further development are also discussed.
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Chen S, Zhao R, Sun X, Wang H, Li L, Liu J. Toxicity and Biocompatibility of Liquid Metals. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2201924. [PMID: 36314401 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Recently, room-temperature liquid metals have attracted increasing attention from researchers owing to their excellent material properties. Systematic interpretation of the potential toxicity issues involved is essential for a wide range of applications, especially in the biomedical and healthcare fields. However, even with the exponential growth of related studies, investigation of the toxicological impact and possible hazards of liquid metals to organisms is still in its infancy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current frontier of knowledge on liquid metal toxicology and biocompatibility in different environments. Based on recent studies, this review focuses on Ga and Bi-based in different states. It is necessary to evaluate their toxicity considering the rapid increase in research and utilization of such liquid metal composites. Finally, existing challenges are discussed and suggestions are provided for further investigation of liquid metal toxicology to clarify the toxicological mechanisms and strategies are provided to avoid adverse effects. In addition to resolving the doubts of public concern about the toxicity of liquid metals, this review is expected to promote the healthy and sustainable development of liquid metal-based materials and their use in diverse areas, especially those related to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ruiqi Zhao
- Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xuyang Sun
- School of Medicine Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongzhang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lei Li
- Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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11
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Interlocking-Interface-Enabled Thermally Deformable Liquid Metal/Polymer Membrane with High Bonding Strength. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 631:78-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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12
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Liquid metals: Preparation, surface engineering, and biomedical applications. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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13
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High-Linearity Hydrogel-Based Capacitive Sensor Based on Con A–Sugar Affinity and Low-Melting-Point Metal. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14204302. [PMID: 36297880 PMCID: PMC9610871 DOI: 10.3390/polym14204302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) plays an important role in the treatment of diabetes. Affinity sensing based on the principle of reversible binding to glucose does not produce intermediates, and the specificity of concanavalin A (Con A) to glucose molecules helps to improve the anti-interference performance and long-term stability of CGM sensors. However, these affinity glucose sensors have some limitations in their linearity with a large detection range, and stable attachment of hydrogels to sensor electrodes is also challenging. In this study, a capacitive glucose sensor with high linearity and a wide detection range was proposed based on a glucose-responsive DexG–Con A hydrogel and a serpentine coplanar electrode made from a low-melting-point metal. The results show that within the glucose concentration range of 0–20 mM, the sensor can achieve high linearity (R2 = 0.94), with a sensitivity of 33.3 pF mM−1, and even with the larger glucose concentration range of 0–30 mM the sensor can achieve good linearity (R2 = 0.84). The sensor also shows resistance to disturbances of small molecules, good reversibility, and long-term stability. Due to its low cost, wide detection range, high linearity, good sensitivity, and biocompatibility, the sensor is expected to be used in the field of continuous monitoring of blood glucose.
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Duan M, Zhu X, Fan L, He Y, Yang C, Guo R, Chen S, Sun X, Liu J. Phase-Transitional Bismuth-Based Metals enable Rapid Embolotherapy, Hyperthermia, and Biomedical Imaging. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2205002. [PMID: 36018724 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202205002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Embolization has been an important minimally invasive therapy for occlusion of malfunctioned vasculature and tumor treatment via target delivering embolic agents. The limitation of conventional embolic agents, such as fabrication process, precipitation time, invisibility, and lack of integrated functions often leads to insufficient embolization efficacy. To overcome these drawbacks, a multifunctional bismuth (Bi)-based liquid embolic agent for simultaneous realization of embolotherapy, thermotherapy, as well as high-contrast biomedical imaging is proposed. Benefitting from the suitable melting point, flexible nature, metallic merit, and easygoing operation via injection, the versatile embolic agent can achieve rapid liquid-solid phase transition, magnetic hyperthermia, and multimodal imaging capability. The Bi-based materials are demonstrated with excellent arteriovenous embolization efficiency and favorable biocompatibility according to in vivo investigations. Introduction of the liquid embolic agent to tumor arteries achieves evident tumor regression and rather clear imaging under computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and thermographs for consistently tracking the implants over the biological body. Further, the combined therapy coupled with thermotherapy exhibits improved therapeutic efficiency with formation of necrosis and total tumor eradiation at day 15 after the treatment. The present innovative embolic agent and the surgical principle provide a promising modality for embolization and potential theranostic platform of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Duan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Linlin Fan
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chen Yang
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Sen Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xuyang Sun
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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15
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Wang L, Lai R, Zhang L, Zeng M, Fu L. Emerging Liquid Metal Biomaterials: From Design to Application. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2201956. [PMID: 35545821 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metals (LMs) as emerging biomaterials possess unique advantages including their favorable biosafety, high fluidity, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, thus providing a unique platform for a wide range of biomedical applications ranging from drug delivery, tumor therapy, and bioimaging to biosensors. The structural design and functionalization of LMs endow them with enhanced functions such as enhanced targeting ability and stimuli responsiveness, enabling them to achieve better and even multifunctional synergistic therapeutic effects. Herein, the advantages of LMs in biomedicine are presented. The design of LM-based biomaterials with different scales ranging from micro-/nanoscale to macroscale and various components is explored in-depth to promote the understanding of structure-property relationships, guiding their performance optimization and applications. Furthermore, the related advanced progress in the development of LM-based biomaterials in biomedicine is summarized. Current challenges and prospects of LMs in the biomedical field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Runze Lai
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Lichen Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Mengqi Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Lei Fu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 410013, China
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16
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Zhang R, He Y, Tao B, Wu J, Hu X, Li X, Xia Z, Cai K. Multifunctional silicon calcium phosphate composite scaffolds promote stem cell recruitment and bone regeneration. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:5218-5230. [PMID: 35737023 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb00687a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A scaffold is one of the most significant implants for treating bone injury, while the precise control of stem cell proliferation and differentiation within a scaffold is still challenging. In this work, a composite scaffold was designed to be capable of recruiting endogenous stem cells, stimulating osteogenic differentiation and achieving significant bone repair function. The designed SiCP + SF@PFS silica-calcium phosphate composite scaffold was obtained by mixing the peptide PFS containing silk fibroin solution with the SiCP scaffold, and treating with horseradish peroxidase and H2O2. The results showed that the composite scaffold was able to release the PFS peptide continuously to induce the migration of mesenchymal stem cells. Meanwhile, cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were also improved after being seeded on the scaffold. In the cranial defect rat model, the composite scaffold was able to recruit CD29+ and CD90+ cells one week after implantation around the injury sites. The results of Micro-CT, H&E staining, Masson's staining and immunohistochemical staining indicated that the composite scaffold was able to promote new bone formation significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Ye He
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Bailong Tao
- Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Xinqiang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Xuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Zengzilu Xia
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Kaiyong Cai
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
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17
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Gao W, Wang Y, Wang Q, Ma G, Liu J. Liquid metal biomaterials for biomedical imaging. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:829-842. [PMID: 35048099 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02399c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liquid metals (LMs) not only retain the basic properties of metallic biomaterials, such as high thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity, but also possess flexibility, flowability, deformability, plasticity, good adhesion, and so on. Therefore, they open many possibilities of extending soft metals into biomedical sciences including biomedical imaging. One of the special properties of LMs is that they can provide a controllable material system in which the electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties can be controlled on a large scale. This paper reviews the preparation and characteristics of LM-based biomaterials classified into four categories: LM micro/nanoparticles, surface modified LM droplets, LM composites with inorganic substances, and LM composites with organic polymers. Besides, considering the most important requirement for biomaterials is biocompatibility, the paper also analyzes the toxicity results of various LM biomaterials when used in the biomedical area, from different levels including body weight measurement, histology evaluation, and blood biochemistry tests. Next, the applications of LMs in X-ray, CT, MRI, photoacoustic imaging, and molecular imaging are introduced in detail. And finally, the challenges and opportunities of their application in medical imaging are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Gao
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China. .,Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yige Wang
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China. .,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guolin Ma
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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18
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Houshyar S, Rifai A, Zizhou R, Dekiwadia C, Booth MA, John S, Fox K, Truong VK. Liquid metal polymer composite: Flexible, conductive, biocompatible, and antimicrobial scaffold. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2021; 110:1131-1139. [PMID: 34910353 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Gallium and its alloys, such as eutectic gallium indium alloy (EGaIn), a form of liquid metal, have recently attracted the attention of researchers due to their low toxicity and electrical and thermal conductivity for biomedical application. However, further research is required to harness EGaIn-composites advantages and address their application as a biomedical scaffold. In this research, EGaIn-polylactic acid/polycaprolactone composites with and without a second conductive filler, MXene, were prepared and characterized. The addition of MXene, into the EGaIn-composite, can improve the composite's electrochemical properties by connecting the liquid metal droplets resulting in electrically conductive continuous pathways within the polymeric matrix. The results showed that the composite with 50% EGaIn and 4% MXene, displayed optimal electrochemical properties and enhanced mechanical and radiopacity properties. Furthermore, the composite showed good biocompatibility, examined through interactions with fibroblast cells, and antibacterial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, the liquid metal (EGaIn) polymer composite with MXene provides a first proof-of-concept engineering scaffold strategy with low toxicity, functional electrochemical properties, and promising antimicrobial properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Houshyar
- STEM College, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaqil Rifai
- STEM College, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rumbidzai Zizhou
- School of Fashion and Textile, Centre for Materials Innovation and Future Fashion, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chaitali Dekiwadia
- RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marsilea A Booth
- STEM College, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sabu John
- STEM College, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Fox
- STEM College, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vi Khanh Truong
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Supported Cu/W/Mo/Ni—Liquid Metal Catalyst with Core-Shell Structure for Photocatalytic Degradation. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11111419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Room-temperature liquid metal is a very ideal material for the design of catalytic materials. At low temperatures, the liquid metal enters the liquid state. It provides an opportunity to utilize the liquid phase in the catalysis, which is far superior to the traditional solid-phase catalyst. Aiming at the low performance and narrow application scope of the existing single-phase liquid metal catalyst, this paper proposed a type of liquid metal/metal oxide core-shell composite multi-metal catalyst. The Ga2O3 core-shell heterostructure was formed by chemical modification of liquid metals with different nano metals Cu/W/Mo/Ni, and it was applied to photocatalytic degrading organic contaminated raw liquor. The effects of different metal species on the rate of catalytic degradation were explored. The selectivity and stability of the LM/MO core-shell composite catalytic material were clarified, and it was found that the Ni-LM catalyst could degrade methylene blue and Congo red by 92% and 79%, respectively. The catalytic mechanism and charge transfer mechanism were revealed by combining the optical band gap value. Finally, we provided a theoretical basis for the further development of liquid metal photocatalytic materials in the field of new energy environments.
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20
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Jiang X, Xiu J, Shen F, Jin S, Sun W. Repairing of Subchondral Defect and Articular Cartilage of Knee Joint of Rabbit by Gadolinium Containing Bio-Nanocomposites. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2021; 17:1584-1597. [PMID: 34544536 DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2021.3106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A variety of gadolinium (Gd) based nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized due to the unique magnetic properties of Gd-containing rare earth compounds and the particularity of micro/nano-materials, which were then incorporated into hydroxyapatite (HA) to obtain inorganic-organic composite materials. Then, HA/Gd NPs containing slow-release transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) were harvested. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were extracted from the adipose tissue of a four-month-old New Zealand white rabbit. HA/Gd NPs were attached to absorbable gelatin sponge to obtain HA/Gd NPs/gelatin sponge composite scaffold. In addition, the third generation ADSCs were taken and cultured in the composite scaffold, so that ADSCs-HA/Gd bio-nanocomposites were obtained. The in vitro culture test of osteoblast MC3T3-E1 showed that Gd-containing NPs had good biocompatibility. The prepared HA/Gd NPs loaded with TGF-β1 were spherical, with an average particle size of (9.16 ± 3.16) μm. The NPs were easy to aggregate and adherent. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test results showed that TGF-β1 in NPs was sustained and released continuously for 29 days. HA/Gd NPs/gelatin sponge composite scaffold combined with ADSCs were co-cultured for three days, and the electron microscope showed that the HA/Gd NPs were dispersed, and the cells could adhere and grow well. Then, animal models of rabbit knee articular cartilage defects were established and were rolled into three groups (ADSCs-HA/Gd nano group, HA/Gd nano scaffold group, and blank control). The repair area of the rabbit knee of ADSCs-HA/Gd nano group was smooth and flat, the scaffold was absorbed, the toluidine blue stain was positive, and the type II collagen immunohistochemical stain was positive. In general, ADSCs-HA/Gd nanomaterials were helpful for chondrogenic cell differentiation and had certain adoption prospects in the field of tissue engineering to repair cartilage defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar 161000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiang Xiu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar 161000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Fuguo Shen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar 161000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Song Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar 161000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Wencai Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar 161000, Heilongjiang, China
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21
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He Y, Zhao Y, Fan L, Wang X, Duan M, Wang H, Zhu X, Liu J. Injectable Affinity and Remote Magnetothermal Effects of Bi-Based Alloy for Long-Term Bone Defect Repair and Analgesia. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2100719. [PMID: 34014040 PMCID: PMC8292916 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
As alternatives, metallic/nonmetallic bone graft materials play significant roles in bone defect surgery to treat external trauma or bone disease. However, to date, there are rather limited long-term implantable materials owning to in situ molding incapability of metallics and poor mechanical property of nonmetallics. Here, Bi-based low melting point alloy, with unique properties of injectability, solid-liquid phase transition, mechanical capability, and biocompatibility, present obvious long-lasting bone affinity as the excellent artificial bone-substitute. It is particularly necessary to point out that the targeted injected Bi alloy remains in its original position for up to 210 days without moving, as well as, displays good osseointegration ability to resolve repeated revision trauma caused by losing bone repair material. Additionally, with outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity, an unconventional way using Bi alloy to realize very beneficial hyperthermia analgesia via non-invasive wireless energy delivery is first proposed, which avoids adverse effects on bone remodeling inflicted by traditional drugs. The significantly decreased expression of pain sensitizing factor, such as, interleukin-6, neuropeptide substance, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 reveals the potential mechanism of hyperthermia analgesia. The present findings suggest the combination therapy of Bi alloy in bone repair and analgesia, which owns far-reaching clinical application value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan He
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Orthopedic DepartmentSecond Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxi030001China
| | - Linlin Fan
- Technical Institute of Physics and ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
| | - Xuelin Wang
- School of Engineering MedicineBeihang UniversityBeijing100191China
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentBeijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijing100191China
| | - Minghui Duan
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Hongzhang Wang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- Technical Institute of Physics and ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
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22
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Hou F, Zhang J, Sun X, Sheng L. Study on the biocompatibility of Ga-based and Al-assisted self-driven liquid metals in cell and animal experiments for drug delivery. Biomed Mater Eng 2021; 32:229-242. [PMID: 33967035 DOI: 10.3233/bme-201146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With inherent flexibility, high electroconductivity, excellent thermal conductivity, easy printability and biosafety, Ga-based functional liquid metals (LMs) have been extensively evaluated for biomedical applications. When implanted in the biological environment, the safety of the LMs is a major concern for future application. METHODS In this study, we conducted several biocompatibility assessments through immersion experiments, in vitro cytotoxicity experiments and in vivo embedding experiments. RESULTS The results showed that both the Al-assisted self-driven LM and the LM per se own good biocompatibility and retrievable properties when contacted with living organisms for a relatively long period of time. CONCLUSION This study provides preliminary evidence about the biocompatibility of the functional LM materials, such as LM-based soft machine, which would promote and inspire other research to address other tough biomedical issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangxing Hou
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyang Sun
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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23
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Tian L, Ye Z, Gui L. A Study of Dielectrophoresis-Based Liquid Metal Droplet Control Microfluidic Device. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12030340. [PMID: 33806767 PMCID: PMC8004963 DOI: 10.3390/mi12030340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This study presents a dielectrophoresis-based liquid metal (LM) droplet control microfluidic device. Six square liquid metal electrodes are fabricated beneath an LM droplet manipulation pool. By applying different voltages on the different electrodes, a non-uniform electric field is formed around the LM droplet, and charges are induced on the surface of the droplet accordingly, so that the droplet could be driven inside the electric field. With a voltage of ±1000 V applied on the electrodes, the LM droplets are driven with a velocity of 0.5 mm/s for the 2.0 mm diameter ones and 1.0 mm/s for the 1.0 mm diameter ones. The whole chip is made of PDMS, and microchannels are fabricated by laser ablation. In this device, the electrodes are not in direct contact with the working droplets; a thin PDMS film stays between the electrodes and the driven droplets, preventing Joule heat or bubble formation during the experiments. To enhance the flexibility of the chip design, a gallium-based alloy with melting point of 10.6 °C is used as electrode material in this device. This dielectrophoresis (DEP) device was able to successfully drive liquid metal droplets and is expected to be a flexible approach for liquid metal droplet control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tian
- Beijing Smart-Chip Microelectronics Technology Company, Ltd., Beijing 100192, China;
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China;
| | - Zi Ye
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China;
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Lin Gui
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China;
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-82543483
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24
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Guo Z, Lu J, Wang D, Xie W, Chi Y, Xu J, Takuya N, Zhang J, Xu W, Gao F, Wu H, Zhao L. Galvanic replacement reaction for in situ fabrication of litchi-shaped heterogeneous liquid metal-Au nano-composite for radio-photothermal cancer therapy. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:602-612. [PMID: 33005825 PMCID: PMC7509004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With tremendous research advances in biomedical application, liquid metals (LM) also offer fantastic chemistry for synthesis of novel nano-composites. Herein, as a pioneering trial, litchi-shaped heterogeneous eutectic gallium indium-Au nanoparticles (EGaIn-Au NPs), served as effective radiosensitizer and photothermal agent for radio-photothermal cancer therapy, have been successfully prepared using in situ interfacial galvanic replacement reaction. The enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency and boosted radio-sensitization effect could be achieved with the reduction of Au nanodots onto the eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) NPs surface. Most importantly, the growth of tumor could be effectively inhibited under the combined radio-photothermal therapy mediated by EGaIn-Au NPs. Inspired by this approach, in situ interfacial galvanic replacement reaction may open a novel strategy to fabricate LM-based nano-composite with advanced multi-functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Powder Metallurgy Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jingsong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Research Center of Magnetic and Electronic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Department of Nanoengineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States
| | - Wensheng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- The Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yongjie Chi
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jianzhong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Nonaka Takuya
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Junxin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wanling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shanxi, 712046, China
| | - Hong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Powder Metallurgy Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, China
| | - Lingyun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Sun X, Yuan B, Wang H, Fan L, Duan M, Wang X, Guo R, Liu J. Nano‐Biomedicine based on Liquid Metal Particles and Allied Materials. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Sun
- Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P.R. China
- School of Medical Science and Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P.R. China
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P.R. China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P.R. China
| | - Hongzhang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P.R. China
| | - Linlin Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P.R. China
| | - Minghui Duan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P.R. China
| | - Xuelin Wang
- School of Medical Science and Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P.R. China
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P.R. China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P.R. China
| | - Jing Liu
- Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P.R. China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P.R. China
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Zhang M, Wang X, Huang Z, Rao W. Liquid Metal Based Flexible and Implantable Biosensors. BIOSENSORS 2020; 10:E170. [PMID: 33182535 PMCID: PMC7696291 DOI: 10.3390/bios10110170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biosensors are the core elements for obtaining significant physiological information from living organisms. To better sense life information, flexible biosensors and implantable sensors that are highly compatible with organisms are favored by researchers. Moreover, materials for preparing a new generation of flexible sensors have also received attention. Liquid metal is a liquid-state metallic material with a low melting point at or around room temperature. Owing to its high electrical conductivity, low toxicity, and superior fluidity, liquid metal is emerging as a highly desirable candidate in biosensors. This paper is dedicated to reviewing state-of-the-art applications in biosensors that are expounded from seven aspects, including pressure sensor, strain sensor, gas sensor, temperature sensor, electrical sensor, optical sensor, and multifunctional sensor, respectively. The fundamental scientific and technological challenges lying behind these recommendations are outlined. Finally, the perspective of liquid metal-based biosensors is present, which stimulates the upcoming design of biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkuan Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Beijing 100190, China; (M.Z.); (X.W.)
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Beijing 100190, China; (M.Z.); (X.W.)
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiping Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, UK;
| | - Wei Rao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Beijing 100190, China; (M.Z.); (X.W.)
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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27
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Fabrication of BiInSn alloy powder via the combination of ultrasonic crushing with dispersants. POWDER TECHNOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2020.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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28
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Hafiz SS, Labadini D, Riddell R, Wolff EP, Xavierselvan M, Huttunen PK, Mallidi S, Foster M. Surfaces and Interfaces of Liquid Metal Core-Shell Nanoparticles under the Microscope. PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION : MEASUREMENT AND DESCRIPTION OF PARTICLE PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR IN POWDERS AND OTHER DISPERSE SYSTEMS 2020; 37:1900469. [PMID: 33071465 PMCID: PMC7567332 DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.201900469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), a Ga-based liquid metal alloy holds great promise for designing next generation core-shell nanoparticles (CSNs). A shearing assisted ligand-stabilization method has shown promise as a synthetic method for these CSNs; however, determining the role of the ligand on stabilization demands an understanding of the surface chemistry of the ligand-nanoparticle interface. EGaIn CSNs have been created functionalized with aliphatic carboxylates of different chain length allowing a fundamental investigation on ligand stabilization of EGaIn CSNs. Raman and diffuse reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopies (DRIFTS) confirm reaction of the ligand with the oxide shell of the EGaIn nanoparticles. Changing the length of the alkyl chain in the aliphatic carboxylates (C2-C18) may influence the size and structural stability of EGaIn CSNs, which is easily monitored using atomic force microscopy (AFM). No matter how large the carboxylate ligand, there is no obvious effect on the size of the EGaIn CSNs, except the particle size got more uniform when coated with longer chain carboxylates. The AFM force distance (F-D) measurements are used to measure the stiffness of the carboxylate coated EGaIn CSN. In corroboration with DRIFTS analysis, the stiffness studies show that the alkyl chains undergo conformational changes upon compression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina S. Hafiz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Daniela Labadini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Ryan Riddell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Erich P. Wolff
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Marvin Xavierselvan
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Paul K. Huttunen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Srivalleesha Mallidi
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155, United States
| | - Michelle Foster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
- ; 617-287-6096
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Brubert J, Tsui S, De Sciscio P, Moggridge GD. Feasibility of a Mitral Annuloplasty With the Capability for Peri- and Postoperative Adjustment. J Med Device 2020. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4046669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Surgical repair with implantation of a mitral annuloplasty ring is the gold standard treatment for mitral regurgitation. However, outcomes are variable and recurrent mitral regurgitation is not uncommon. A REshapeable Mitral Annuloplasty DevIce (REMADI) is proposed, which consists of a fully encapsulated low melting temperature alloy. The alloy is solid and rigid at body temperature and provides traction force to shape the annulus. When heated using a noncontact method, the alloy melts and the REMADI becomes malleable. The REMADI is engaged with the mitral valve annulus using anchors which automatically deploy upon contact. A passive beating porcine heart model was used to demonstrate the feasibility of the REMADI device, which was deployed, engaged, and used to reduce the diameter of the mitral valve annulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Brubert
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Steven Tsui
- Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0AY, UK
| | - Paul De Sciscio
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Geoff D. Moggridge
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK
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30
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Song H, Kim T, Kang S, Jin H, Lee K, Yoon HJ. Ga-Based Liquid Metal Micro/Nanoparticles: Recent Advances and Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1903391. [PMID: 31583849 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metals are emerging as fluidic inorganic materials in various research fields. Micro- and nanoparticles of Ga and its alloys have received particular attention in the last decade due to their non toxicity and accessibility in ambient conditions as well as their interesting chemical, physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. Unique features such as a fluidic nature and self-passivating oxide skin make Ga-based liquid metal particles (LMPs) distinguishable from conventional inorganic particles in the context of synthesis and applications. Here, recent advances in the bottom-up and top-down synthetic methods of Ga-based LMPs, their physicochemical properties, and their applications are summarized. Finally, the current status of the LMPs is highlighted and perspectives on future directions are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsun Song
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Taekyung Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohyun Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Haneul Jin
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangyeol Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jae Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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Hou Y, Lu C, Dou M, Zhang C, Chang H, Liu J, Rao W. Soft liquid metal nanoparticles achieve reduced crystal nucleation and ultrarapid rewarming for human bone marrow stromal cell and blood vessel cryopreservation. Acta Biomater 2020; 102:403-415. [PMID: 31734413 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
High warming rates during cryopreservation are crucial and essential for successful vitrification. However, realizing a faster warming rate in low-concentration cryoprotective agents appears to be challenging for conventional warming process through convective heat transfer. Herein, we developed a liquid metal (LM) nanosystem that can act as a spatial source to significantly enhance the warming rates with near-infrared laser irradiation during the warming process. The synthetic Pluronic F127-liquid metal nanoparticles (PLM NPs) displayed multiple performances with uniform particle size, superior photothermal conversion efficiency (52%), repeatable photothermal stability, and low cytotoxicity. Particularly, it is more difficult for the liquid PLM NPs with less surface free energy to form crystal nucleation than other solid NPs such as gold and Fe3O4, which is beneficial for the cooling process during cryopreservation. The viability of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells postcryopreservation reached 78±3%, which is threefold higher than that obtained by the conventional warming method (25±6%). Additionally, the cells postcryopreservation maintained their normal attachment, proliferation, surface marker expression, and intact multilineage differentiation properties. Moreover, the results of mouse tails including blood vessel cryopreservation showed a relatively improved intact structure when using PLM NP rewarming compared with the results of conventional warming. The new LM nanosystem provides a universal platform for cryopreservation that is expected to have potential for widespread applications including bioengineering, cell-based medicine, and clinical translation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we fabricated soft liquid metal nanoparticles with high photothermal conversion efficiency, repeatable photothermal stability, and low cytotoxicity. Particularly, soft liquid metal nanoparticles with less surface free energy and suppression effects of ice formation were first introduced to mediate cryopreservation. Superior ice-crystallization inhibition is achieved as a result of less crystal nucleation and ultrarapid rewarming during the freezing and warming processes of cryopreservation, respectively. Collectively, cryopreservation of human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSCs) and mouse tails including blood vessels can be successfully performed using this new nanoplatform, showing great potential in the application of soft nanoparticles in cryopreservation.
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32
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Hou Y, Sun X, Yao S, Rao W, He X. Cryoablation-activated enhanced nanodoxorubicin release for the therapy of chemoresistant mammary cancer stem-like cells. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:908-918. [DOI: 10.1039/c9tb01922g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer nanodoxorubicin with targeting ability, thermal responsive and pH sensitive characteristic is fabricated. Nanodrug could realize controllable and enhanced drug release when cryoablation is applied at the target tumor site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- China
| | - Xuyang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- China
| | - Siyuan Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- China
| | - Wei Rao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190
- China
| | - Xiaoming He
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering
- University of Maryland
- MD
- USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
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Abstract
Mercury beating heart is a well-known phenomenon that consists of a mercury droplet covered with aqueous acid and an iron nail. However, mercury is highly poisonous, and its vapor is especially dangerous. Thus, related studies and applications on mercury have often been hindered. Here, we proposed another beating heart but employed a different material, i.e., GaIn alloy with low toxicity. A stainless steel wire was utilized to touch the side of the liquid-metal droplet in basic solution. Based on this method, periodic oscillation could be kept continuous and steady. This finding suggests a more feasible and safer way to realize beating behaviors, which would shed light on a variety of future applications, such as pump and mixer for the mini device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Yi
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , China.,Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Beijing 100190 , China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , China.,Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Beijing 100190 , China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , China.,Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Beijing 100190 , China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
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34
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Novel contrast media based on the liquid metal gallium for in vivo digestive tract radiography: a feasibility study. Biometals 2019; 32:795-801. [PMID: 31555928 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-019-00212-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The barium sulfate has been playing an important role as the contrast medium in gastrointestinal radiography and disease diagnosis. However, its application has been gradually reduced due to the limitation of its imaging effect and the progress of other imaging techniques. Here, the liquid metal gallium was proposed as an improved contrast agent, which was applied in the in vivo digestive tract radiography of the mice for the first time. Under the CT scanning, the gallium produced excellent contrast effect intuitively. According to the records of discharge time, the tissue sections of organs, the survival state and body weight, the liquid metal was proven to be capable and safe for gastrointestinal radiography. Further, the mixture of the gallium and the barium sulfate has been tested, which showed better performance in both contrast and detail. Therefore, with the characteristics of better imaging contrast effect and acceptable safety, the gallium and its mixture with the barium sulfate might be useful as potential candidates for digestive tract contrast agent in animal experiments, even possibly as alternative contrast agents for clinical use.
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35
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Wu Q, Xia N, Long D, Tan L, Rao W, Yu J, Fu C, Ren X, Li H, Gou L, Liang P, Ren J, Li L, Meng X. Dual-Functional Supernanoparticles with Microwave Dynamic Therapy and Microwave Thermal Therapy. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:5277-5286. [PMID: 31331173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photoactivated sensitizers have been well explored in tumor therapy for nearly half a century, which is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). The poor light penetration depth severely hinders PDT as a primary or adjuvant therapy for clinical indication. Whereas microwaves (MWs) are advantageous for deep penetration depth, the MW energy is considerably lower than that required for the activation of any species to induce ROS generation. Herein we find that liquid metal (LM) supernanoparticles activated by MW irradiation can generate ROS, such as ·OH and ·O2. On this basis, we design dual-functional supernanoparticles by loading LMs and an MW heating sensitizer ionic liquid (IL) into mesoporous ZrO2 nanoparticles, which can be activated by MW as the sole energy source for dynamic and thermal therapy concomitantly. The microwave sensitizer opens the door to an entirely novel dynamic treatment for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Na Xia
- College of Materials Science and Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu 610065 China
| | - Dan Long
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Longfei Tan
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Wei Rao
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing 100853 China
| | - Changhui Fu
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Xiangling Ren
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, School of Materials Science & Engineering , Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 10081 China
| | - Li Gou
- College of Materials Science and Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu 610065 China
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing 100853 China
| | - Jun Ren
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Laifeng Li
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Xianwei Meng
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
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Xia N, Li N, Rao W, Yu J, Wu Q, Tan L, Li H, Gou L, Liang P, Li L, Meng X. Multifunctional and flexible ZrO 2-coated EGaIn nanoparticles for photothermal therapy. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:10183-10189. [PMID: 31112189 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr01963d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
With extensive investigations involving liquid metals (LMs), Ga-based LMs have attracted increasing attention from biomedical researchers because of their good biocompatibility, ideal fluidity, and high thermal conductivity. LMs employed in cancer treatment suffer from high surface tension, thereby yielding unstable nanoparticles (NPs). Here, ZrO2 is coated onto LM NPs to form a stable core-shell nanostructure. In particular, LM NPs coated with ZrO2 and modified by PEG (LM@pZrO2 NPs) still maintain favorable flexibility, which is beneficial for cellular uptake. With regard to the photothermal properties of LM, LM@pZrO2 NPs rapidly warm up and emit the requisite amount of heat under NIR laser radiation. It is confirmed that LM@pZrO2 NPs are more effectively internalized by cells and are beneficial for tumor photothermal therapy. This research provides a coating strategy to fabricate a stable and flexible core-shell LM nanostructure, making it a promising vehicle for nanotheranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Xia
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
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Sun X, Sun M, Liu M, Yuan B, Gao W, Rao W, Liu J. Shape tunable gallium nanorods mediated tumor enhanced ablation through near-infrared photothermal therapy. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:2655-2667. [PMID: 30601530 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr08296k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To date, photothermal sensitizers include organic and inorganic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. However, the impediments of low biodegradability and potential toxicity hinder their further applications in clinics. Liquid metal nanospheres show superior photothermal effects under near-infrared laser irradiation, in addition, a transformation in shape can be triggered, which also promotes biodegradability that helps to avoid potential systemic toxicity. Here, we fabricated tunable liquid metal nanoparticles having sphere-shaped to rod-shaped characteristics, resulting in good biocompatibility, favorable photothermal conversion efficiency, and targeting capability to tumors. The synthesis strategy is easy to achieve through one-step sonication. We systematically evaluated the photothermal properties of these liquid metal nanoparticles as well as their destructive effects on tumors in a quantitative way both in vitro and in vivo under laser exposure. Results have shown for the first time in mice that gallium nanorods, regulated and controlled through the production of GaO(OH), displayed outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency and exhibited distinct temperature elevation compared to gallium nanospheres and gallium-indium alloy nanorods. These shape transformable and biocompatible gallium nanorods establish the basis for the future laser ablation of tumors to achieve enhanced therapeutic outcomes. This shape tunability of a smart nano-liquid metal directly contributes to enhanced photothermal therapy in mice and opens new opportunities for potential applications with tumor therapy and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Sun
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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Yao Y, Wang H, Yang X, Liu J. E-BiInSn Enhanced Rigidity Alterable Artificial Bandage. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2018; 2018:2873-2876. [PMID: 30441001 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2018.8512906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
surgery, orthopedic cast is often implemented to stabilize and fix anatomical structures like broken bones. Plaster could harden after mixed with water, thus it is commonly utilized with cotton bandage to form a solid structure to encase a limb or other body parts. As plaster is heavy and impervious, cast could easily result in itching, rashes, allergic contact dermatitis or other cutaneous complications. In this paper we present a novel implementation for surgical fixation with low melting point alloy (LMPA) stuffed in silicone tubes, which is dubbed "LMPA enhanced bandage The alloy is heated by an enameled copper wire to alter the stiffness. When the alloy is in solid state, the bandage could withstand high load without significant deformation, while if heated to its melting point, the entire bandage would soften. We present several conceptual experiments to evaluate the mechanical performance and body fixation of the proposed bandage. Phase change process and temperature variation were recorded by an infrared camera. Preliminary results showed that the present fixation bandage design owns sufficient mechanical strength and necessary thermal response performance to meet the requirement of clinical applications.
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Wang X, Ren Y, Liu J. Liquid Metal Enabled Electrobiology: A New Frontier to Tackle Disease Challenges. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E360. [PMID: 30424293 PMCID: PMC6082282 DOI: 10.3390/mi9070360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this article, a new conceptual biomedical engineering strategy to tackle modern disease challenges, called liquid metal (LM) enabled electrobiology, is proposed. This generalized and simple method is based on the physiological fact that specially administrated electricity induces a series of subsequent desired biological effects, either shortly, transitionally, or permanently. Due to high compliance within biological tissues, LM would help mold a pervasive method for treating physiological or psychological diseases. As highly conductive and non-toxic multifunctional flexible materials, such LMs can generate any requested electric treating fields (ETFields), which can adapt to various sites inside the human body. The basic mechanisms of electrobiology in delivering electricity to the target tissues and then inducing expected outputs for disease treatment are interpreted. The methods for realizing soft and conformable electronics based on LM are illustrated. Furthermore, a group of typical disease challenges are observed to illustrate the basic strategies for performing LM electrobiology therapy, which include but are not limited to: tissue electronics, brain disorder, immunotherapy, neural functional recovery, muscle stimulation, skin rejuvenation, cosmetology and dieting, artificial organs, cardiac pacing, cancer therapy, etc. Some practical issues regarding electrobiology for future disease therapy are discussed. Perspectives in this direction for incubating a simple biomedical tool for health care are pointed out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Yi Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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Wang X, Yao W, Guo R, Yang X, Tang J, Zhang J, Gao W, Timchenko V, Liu J. Soft and Moldable Mg-Doped Liquid Metal for Conformable Skin Tumor Photothermal Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1800318. [PMID: 29717822 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201800318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
As a class of emerging multifunctional soft materials, gallium-based liquid metal (LM) amalgams, metal/nonmetal particles dispersed in an LM environment, suggest a combination of intriguing properties. In this article, Mg particles in gallium-indium alloy for making new conceptual biomedical materials, which can adapt to any irregular skin surface, are introduced, and superior photothermal effect with a 61.5% photothermal conversion (PTC) increase with respect to that of the LM is realized. The formation of a new intermetallic phase Mg2 Ga5 and adjustable surface roughness, which guarantees a rapid temperature increase when illuminated by laser, are found to be responsible for the photothermal effect enhancement. The obtained soft metallic mixtures also possess excellent thermal conductivity, favorable formability, together with benign biocompatibility. The potential use of the currently produced LM mixtures for conformable photothermal therapy (PTT) of skin tumors, which is hard to precisely heat otherwise via conventional ways, is explored. The soft Mg-GaIn mixtures can adapt to irregular tumor shapes to achieve conformable and minimal invasive tumor treatment. In vivo experiments on skin-tumor-bearing mice show obvious tumor growth suppression and life span extension after PTT treatment. As a novel functional PTC material, the Mg-GaIn mixtures exhibit promising potentials in the coming clinical cancer theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
| | - Wenhao Yao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
| | - Xiaohu Yang
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics; Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100190 China
| | - Jianbo Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
| | - Weiping Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
| | - Victoria Timchenko
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; University of New South Wales; UNSW Sydney; NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; School of Medicine; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 China
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics; Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100190 China
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Liang S, Rao W, Song K, Liu J. Fluorescent Liquid Metal As a Transformable Biomimetic Chameleon. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:1589-1596. [PMID: 29220571 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b17233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metal (LM) is of core interest for a wide variety of newly emerging areas. However, the functional materials thus made so far by LM only could display a single silver-white appearance. In this study, colorful LM marbles working like a transformable biomimetic robot were proposed for the first time and fabricated from LM droplets through encasing them with fluorescent nanoparticles. We demonstrated that this unique LM marble can be manipulated into various stable magnificent appearances as one desires and then split and merge among different colors. Such multifunctional LM is capable of responding to the outside electric stimulus and realizing shape transformation and discoloration behaviors as well. Furthermore, the electric stimuli has been successfully introduced to trigger the release of nano/microparticles from the LM, and the mechanism lying behind was clarified. The present fluorescent LM was expected to offer important opportunities for diverse applications, especially in a wide range of functional smart material areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Rao
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China
| | - Kai Song
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China
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Sun X, He ZZ, Deng ZS, Zhou YX, Liu J. Liquid metal bath as conformable soft electrodes for target tissue ablation in radio-frequency ablation therapy. MINIM INVASIV THER 2017; 27:233-241. [PMID: 29168402 DOI: 10.1080/13645706.2017.1393437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radio-frequency ablation has been an important physical method for tumor hyperthermia therapy. The conventional rigid electrode boards are often uncomfortable and inconvenient for performing surgery on irregular tumors, especially for those tumors near the joints, such as ankles, knee-joints or other facets like finger joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS We proposed and demonstrated a highly conformable tumor ablation strategy through introducing liquid metal bath as conformable soft electrodes. Different heights of liquid metal bath electrodes were adopted to perform radio-frequency ablation on targeted tissues. Temperature and ablation area were measured to compare the ablation effect with plate metal electrodes. RESULTS The recorded temperature around the ablation electrode was almost twice as high as that with the plate electrode and the effective ablated area was 2-3 fold larger in all the mimicking situations of bone tumors, span-shaped or round-shaped tumors. Another unique feature of the liquid metal electrode therapy is that the incidence of heat injury was reduced, which is a severe accident that can occur during the treatment of irregular tumors with plate metal boards. CONCLUSIONS The present method suggests a new way of using soft liquid metal bath electrodes for targeted minimally invasive tumor ablation in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Sun
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , School of Medicine, Tsinghua University , Beijing , China
| | - Zhi-Zhu He
- b Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Zhong-Shan Deng
- b Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Yi-Xin Zhou
- b Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Jing Liu
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , School of Medicine, Tsinghua University , Beijing , China.,b Beijing Key Lab of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
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Injectable, biomechanically robust, biodegradable and osseointegrative bone cement for percutaneous kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS 2017; 42:125-132. [PMID: 29116357 DOI: 10.1007/s00264-017-3674-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cement is widely used for percutaneous kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty (PKP and PVP) but possesses formidable shortcomings due to non-degradability. Here, a biodegradable replacement is developed. METHODS Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) was redesigned by incorporating starch and BaSO4 (new cement named as CPB). The biomechanical, biocompatibility, osseointegrative and handling properties of CPB were systematically evaluated in vitro and in vivo by the models of osteoporotic sheep vertebra, rat subcutaneous implantation and rat femoral defect. RESULTS CPB revealed appropriate injectability and setting ability for PKP and PVP. More importantly, its biomechanical strengths measured by in vitro and in vivo models were not less than that of PMMA, while its biodegradability and osseointegrative capacities were significantly enhanced compared to PMMA. CONCLUSIONS CPB is injectable, biomechanically robust, biodegradable and osseointegrative, demonstrating revolutionary potential for the application in PKP and PVP.
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Yu Y, Miyako E. Manipulation of Biomolecule-Modified Liquid-Metal Blobs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:13606-13611. [PMID: 28879671 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201705996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Soft and deformable liquid metals (LMs) are building components in various systems related to uncertain and dynamic task environments. Herein we describe the development of a biomolecule-triggered external-manipulation method involving LM conjugates for the construction of future innovative soft robotics operating in physiological environments. Functional soft hybrids composed of a liquid-metal droplet, a thiolated ligand, and proteins were synthesized for the expression of diverse macroscopic commands, such as attachment to cells, binary fusion, and self-propelled movement through molecular recognition and enzymatic reactions. Our technology could be used to create new state-of-the-art soft robots for chemical and biomedical engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- Department of Materials and Chemistry, Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Eijiro Miyako
- Department of Materials and Chemistry, Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- Department of Materials and Chemistry; Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI); National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi Tsukuba 305-8565 Japan
| | - Eijiro Miyako
- Department of Materials and Chemistry; Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI); National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi Tsukuba 305-8565 Japan
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46
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Amorphous liquid metal electrodes enabled conformable electrochemical therapy of tumors. Biomaterials 2017; 146:156-167. [PMID: 28918265 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Electrochemical treatment of tumors (EChT) has recently been identified as a very effective way for local tumor therapy. However, hindered by the limited effective area of a single rigid electrode, multiple electrodes are often recruited when tackling large tumors, where too many electrodes not only complicate the clinical procedures but also aggravate patients' pain. Here we present a new conceptual electric stimulation tumor therapy through introducing the injectable liquid metal electrodes, which can adapt to complex tumor shapes so as to achieve desired therapeutic performance. This approach can offer evident merits for dealing with the complex physiological situations, especially for those irregular body cavities like stomach, colon, rectum or even blood vessel etc., which are hard to tackle otherwise. As it was disclosed from the conceptual experiments that, Unlike traditional rigid and uncomfortable electrodes, liquid metal possesses high flexibility to attach to any crooked biological position to deliver and adjust targeted electric field to fulfill anticipated tumor destruction. And such amorphous electrodes exhibit rather enhanced treatment effect of tumors. Further, we also demonstrate that EChT with liquid metal electrodes produced more electrochemical products during electrolysis. Transformations with the shapes of liquid metal provided an easily regulatable strategy to improve EChT efficiency, which can conveniently aid to achieve better output compared to multiple electrodes. In vivo EChT of tumors further clarified the effect of liquid metal electrodes in retarding tumor growth and increasing life spans.
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Chechetka SA, Yu Y, Zhen X, Pramanik M, Pu K, Miyako E. Light-driven liquid metal nanotransformers for biomedical theranostics. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15432. [PMID: 28561016 PMCID: PMC5460022 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Room temperature liquid metals (LMs) represent a class of emerging multifunctional
materials with attractive novel properties. Here, we show that photopolymerized LMs
present a unique nanoscale capsule structure characterized by high water
dispersibility and low toxicity. We also demonstrate that the LM nanocapsule
generates heat and reactive oxygen species under biologically neutral near-infrared
(NIR) laser irradiation. Concomitantly, NIR laser exposure induces a transformation
in LM shape, destruction of the nanocapsules, contactless controlled release of the
loaded drugs, optical manipulations of a microfluidic blood vessel model and
spatiotemporal targeted marking for X-ray-enhanced imaging in biological organs and
a living mouse. By exploiting the physicochemical properties of LMs, we achieve
effective cancer cell elimination and control of intercellular calcium ion flux. In
addition, LMs display a photoacoustic effect in living animals during NIR laser
treatment, making this system a powerful tool for bioimaging. Liquid metals are excellent candidate materials for biomedicine, owing to their
intriguing optical properties and chemical stability. Here, the authors design
multifunctional theranostic liquid metal nanocapsules that, upon irradiation, generate
heat and reactive oxygen species and change shape to release drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana A Chechetka
- Department of Materials and Chemistry, Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Materials and Chemistry, Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Xu Zhen
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Manojit Pramanik
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Eijiro Miyako
- Department of Materials and Chemistry, Nanomaterials Research Institute (NMRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
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Wang X, Liu J. Recent Advancements in Liquid Metal Flexible Printed Electronics: Properties, Technologies, and Applications. MICROMACHINES 2016; 7:E206. [PMID: 30404387 PMCID: PMC6189762 DOI: 10.3390/mi7120206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This article presents an overview on typical properties, technologies, and applications of liquid metal based flexible printed electronics. The core manufacturing material-room-temperature liquid metal, currently mainly represented by gallium and its alloys with the properties of excellent resistivity, enormous bendability, low adhesion, and large surface tension, was focused on in particular. In addition, a series of recently developed printing technologies spanning from personal electronic circuit printing (direct painting or writing, mechanical system printing, mask layer based printing, high-resolution nanoimprinting, etc.) to 3D room temperature liquid metal printing is comprehensively reviewed. Applications of these planar or three-dimensional printing technologies and the related liquid metal alloy inks in making flexible electronics, such as electronical components, health care sensors, and other functional devices were discussed. The significantly different adhesions of liquid metal inks on various substrates under different oxidation degrees, weakness of circuits, difficulty of fabricating high-accuracy devices, and low rate of good product-all of which are challenges faced by current liquid metal flexible printed electronics-are discussed. Prospects for liquid metal flexible printed electronics to develop ending user electronics and more extensive applications in the future are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- Beijing Key Lab of CryoBiomedical Engineering and Key Lab of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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Sun X, Qian Z, Luo L, Yuan Q, Guo X, Tao L, Wei Y, Wang X. Antibacterial Adhesion of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Modified by Borneol Acrylate. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:28522-28528. [PMID: 27712052 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b10498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a widely used biomaterial. But there is still a challenge facing its unwanted bacterial adhesion because the subsequent biofilm formation usually leads to failure of related implants. Herein, we present a borneol-modified PMMA based on a facile and effective stereochemical strategy, generating antibacterial copolymer named as P(MMA-co-BA). It was synthesized by free radical polymerization and studied with different ratio between methyl methacrylate (MMA) and borneol acrylate (BA) monomers. NMR, GPC, and EA, etc., were used to confirm their chemical features. Their films were challenged with Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive), showing a BA content dependent antibacterial performance. The minimum effective dose should be 10%. Then in vivo subcutaneous implantations in mice demonstrated their biocompatibilities through routine histotomy and HE staining. Therefore, P(MMA-co-BA)s not only exhibited their unique antibacterial character but also suggested a potential for the safe usage of borneol-modified PMMA frame and devices for further implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Sun
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyong Qian
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University , Beijing 100191, P. R. China
- Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Beijing 100850, P. R. China
| | - Lingqiong Luo
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Qipeng Yuan
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Ximin Guo
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University , Beijing 100191, P. R. China
- Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Beijing 100850, P. R. China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yen Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xing Wang
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, P. R. China
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