Bio-Nano Interfaces and Engineering Applications: Session II
Sponsored by: TMS Functional Materials Division, TMS Structural Materials Division, TMS: Biomaterials Committee
Program Organizers: Candan Tamerler, University of Kansas; Kalpana Katti, North Dakota State University; Hannes Schniepp, William & Mary; Terry Lowe, Colorado School of Mines; Po-Yu Chen, National Tsing Hua University
Monday 2:00 PM
March 20, 2023
Room: Sapphire 400A
Location: Hilton
Session Chair: Kalpana Katti, North Dakota State University; Terry Lowe, Colorado School of Mines
2:00 PM Invited
DNA-templated Dye Aggregate Design for Excitonic Applications: Lan Li1; 1Boise State University
Dye molecules can absorb and emit light, demonstrating biomedical imaging, organic photovoltaics, non-linear optics, and quantum information applications. These applications can be manipulated by dye structure features, properties, and aggregation ability. Dye aggregate networks via deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) templating exhibit exciton delocalization, energy transport, and fluorescence emission. To control the process and optimize the dye structures and properties, we have combined density functional theory-based methods and molecular dynamics. The ground- and excited-state properties of the dyes, such as transition dipole moment, static dipole difference, absorption spectrum, and solvation energy, were calculated. The dye aggregate-DNA interactions and dye orientations were predicted. We found the effects of varying hydrophobic substituents (i.e., functional groups) on the dyes. Substitution can also impact the resultant performance of the DNA-templated dye aggregate through augmenting the electron withdrawing or donating strength of the substituents on the dye. The computational results were validated with experimental observations.
2:35 PM
Hierarchical Surface Restructuring for Next Generation Implantable Neural Interfacing Applications: Shahram Amini1; 1Pulse Technologies Inc.
Selective and targeted stimulation of neurons in close proximity to implantable electrodes is an essential prerequisite for successful application of neural interfacing devices. Additionally, the trajectory for further refinement of neural interfacing devices is in large part predicated on increased miniaturization of electrodes that enables higher spatial resolution, precision, and reliability. To achieve miniaturization, the geometric surface area of the electrodes must be reduced while the electrochemical surface area is increased. Therefore, availability of highly electroactive electrode materials or surfaces capable of improving the electrodes’ electrochemical performance is paramount as it ensures delivery of enough charge across the electrode/tissue interface for stimulation as well as low impedance at the interface for sensing and recording purposes. In this research, we introduce, for the first time, an innovative, tunable, scalable and commercially viable electrode surface treatment technology known as hierarchical surface restructuring targeted for use in next generation neural interfacing applications.
2:55 PM
Sisal-inspired Multilevel Structure for Fog Collection Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing and Surface Modification: Yanjie Huang1; Haw-Kai Chang1; Phuong Uyen Mai1; Po-Yu Chen1; 1National Tsing Hua University
Fresh water resources that human can directly use account for only 0.26% of the total water on earth. Capturing water vapor in the air could be an eco-friendly and sustainable solution. Researchers have conceived the unique structures of sisal (Agave sisalana) and fabricated nano-needle arrays on substrates for water collection. In this study, we proposed a facile, rapid, low-cost, and low-energy-consuming method to fabricate sisal-inspired multilevel structures with hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces that captured and collected fog efficiently by 3D-printing patterned samples with resin materials. Results showed that the sisal-inspired structures can collect more fog (3.26 g/hr) than the flat substrate (1.47 g/hr). To enhance the fog collection efficiency, the spray coating method was applied to form micrometer-scale protrusions. Surface morphology and microstructural features were characterized by scanning laser confocal microscopy and SEM. This efficient and facile approach can be further applied to fog harvesting, wettable surfaces and micro-fluidic devices.
3:15 PM
Influence of Fluid Flow on Inducing Bone Metastasis through use of a Novel Bioreactor with In Vitro Cancer Models: Kalpana Katti1; Haneesh Jssuja1; Sharad Jaswandkar1; Dinesh Katti1; 1North Dakota State University
The WHO reports 375,304 deaths in 2020 due to prostate-cancer. Majority of these deaths occur due to bone metastasis. A novel nanoclay-based tissue-engineered polymeric scaffold sequentially seeded with hMSCs and cancer cells recapitulates prostate-cancer bone metastasis. Fluid-flow provides unique biochemical cues for metastasis. Hence, we designed a bioreactor that enables interstitial fluid-flow for prostate cancer bone metastasis. CFD results indicate that 0.05 ml/min flow rate recapitulates physiological condition. Also, the interstitial fluid-flow does not alter the CXCR4 level, an important regulator of metastasis and invasiveness, but bone proximity upregulates CXCR4 levels enabling increased MMP-9 levels. Further, v3 integrins and MMP-9 levels are upregulated by fluid-flow causing increased migration under fluid-flow. Our studies suggest that v3 integrins act as mechanosensory agents that transduce mechanical signals via v3-MMP 9 signaling to promote flow-induced motility of prostate cancer cells. Overall, these studies describe the critical role of interstitial fluid-flow in prostate cancer metastasis.
3:45 PM Break
4:05 PM
Self-assembled Flavoprotein Putrescine Oxidase System Offers Enhanced Thermal Stability: Taylor Bader1; Emina Derakovic1; Nilan Kamathewatta1; Chris Johnson1; Cindy Berrie1; Candan Tamerler1; 1University of Kansas
Flavoprotein putrescine oxidase belonging to the oxidoreductase family are considered valuable biocatalysts. These enzymes catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of compounds simultaneously reducing oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. Putrescine oxidase is a polyamine related to cell growth and differentiation processes, and provides critical information when used as diagnostic enzymes, cancer biomarkers, or for monitoring food freshness due to amino acid degradation. Orientation control to display the active site is necessary to maintain the activity of immobilized enzymes. Their deeply buried active site brings an additional challenge for providing an optimal catalytic interface. Here we investigate guiding the supramolecular self-assembly of putrescine oxidase using a peptide tag at this complex bionanomaterial interface. Functionalized surfaces were analyzed using combined characterization including SPR and QCM-D as well as enzyme activity measurements and cyclic voltammetry. Our results revealed that the immobilized enzymes maintained their catalytic activity while exhibiting improved reusability and thermal stability.
4:25 PM
Chemical, Thermal and Bio-responsive Polystyrene Based-photonic Crystals: A Concise Review: Doreen Omorogbe1; Stanley Omorogbe2; Ikhazuagbe Ifijen2; 1F.C.T Universial Basic Education Board, Abuja; 2Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria
The potential uses for photonic crystals have attracted a lot of research interest. They can be employed as sensors thanks to their clearly defined physical properties, such as reflectance/transmittance, higher degrees of sensitivity producing precise detection limits, and the sparkling visual quality they present in the visible range of wavelengths. Connecting incident, reflected, and transmitted light to optical fibers allows for the sensing applications, which are then analyzed in distant locations. Evaluation of the product's cost-effectiveness and measurement accuracy in comparison to alternative approaches are essential for any sensing technology to be long-term viable. The minimal water absorption, rigidity, and low manufacturing costs of polystyrene make it a highly desirable material. This article examined some significant recent research on polystyrene-based photonic crystals that are thermo-, chemically-, and biologically sensitive.
4:45 PM Invited
Enzymatic Mechanism of Self-healing in Concrete and Carbon-negative Construction Material: Nima Rahbar1; 1Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Concrete is the most widely used material in the world and its production and transport are responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. The leading self-healing mechanism is based on the use of bacteria and microbes, which are slow and have limited applications, as well as unknown health effects. Inspired by the extremely efficient process of CO2 transfer in biological cells, this talk introduces a method to develop a self-healing mechanism in a cementitious matrix using trace amounts of the enzyme Carbonic Anhydrase (CA). We then invented a new construction material with an outstanding compressive strength that is higher than the minimum required for cement mortar. Our enzymatic construction material (ECM) has the potential to serve as a strong construction material with self-healing capabilities, which provides a new pathway to substitute for concrete. Moreover, ECM production is carbon negative and can serve as a partial carbon sequestration method.
5:20 PM
A Carbon-negative Self-healing Construction Materials: Shuai Wang1; Suzanne Scarlata1; Nima Rahbar1; 1Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Concrete is the most widely used material in the world and is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. The efforts to find an alternative to concrete have not been fully successful. Inspired by the process of CO2 exchange in biological cells, this talk introduces a novel method to create a negative-emission enzymatic construction material (ECM) with self-healing capabilities. We have used carbonic anhydrase (CA) to catalyze the condensation of CO2 and water to promote the precipitation of calcium ions in the aqueous solution as calcium carbonate crystals. The resulting ECM has compressive strength and Young’s modulus more than twice that of the minimum acceptable for cement mortar and other alternative building materials. The strengthening mechanism through the growth of mineral bridges that hold the sand particles in the structure of ECM is also modeled and studied. This work provides a new path for development of environmentally friendly construction materials with low cost.