Abstract
Nature designs circulatory systems with hierarchically organized networks of gradually tapered channels ranging from micrometer to nanometer in diameter. In most hard tissues in biological systems, fluid, gases, nutrients and wastes are constantly exchanged through such networks. Here, we developed a biologically inspired, hierarchically organized structure in ceramic to achieve effective permeation with minimum void region, using fabrication methods that create a long-range, highly interconnected nanochannel system in a ceramic biomaterial. This design of a synthetic model-material was implemented through a novel pressurized sintering process formulated to induce a gradual tapering in channel diameter based on pressure-dependent polymer agglomeration. The resulting system allows long-range, efficient transport of fluid and nutrients into sites and interfaces that conventional fluid conduction cannot reach without external force. We demonstrate the ability of mammalian bone-forming cells placed at the distal transport termination of the nanochannel system to proliferate in a manner dependent solely upon the supply of media by the self-powering nanochannels. This approach mimics the significant contribution that nanochannel transport plays in maintaining living hard tissues by providing nutrient supply that facilitates cell growth and differentiation, and thereby makes the ceramic composite "alive".
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4447-4457 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | ACS nano |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 Apr 28 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 American Chemical Society.
Keywords
- bioinspired
- ceramics
- fluid transports
- hierarchical structures
- nanochannels
- polymer agglomeration
- pressure gradient sintering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- General Engineering
- General Physics and Astronomy