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Creators/Authors contains: "Chen, Yidan"

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  1. Abstract

    A reliable method for fabricating biomimetic scaffolds with a controllable mineral gradient to facilitate the surgical repair of tendon‐to‐bone injuries and the regeneration of the enthesis is reported. The gradient in mineral content is created by sequentially spin‐coating with hydroxyapatite/poly(ε‐caprolactone) suspensions containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in decreasing concentrations. To produce pores and facilitate cell infiltration, the spin‐coated film is released and patterned with an array of funnel‐shaped microchannels by laser machining. The unique design provided both mechanical (i.e., substrate stiffness) and biochemical (e.g., hydroxyapatite content) cues to spatially control the graded differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Immunocytochemical analysis of human mesenchymal stem cell‐seeded scaffolds after 14 days of culture demonstrated the formation of a spatial phenotypic cell gradient from osteoblasts to mineralized chondrocytes based on the level of mineralization in the scaffold. By successfully recreating compositional and cellular features of the native tendon enthesis, the biomimetic scaffolds offer a promising avenue for improved tendon‐to‐bone repair.

     
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  2. Abstract

    It remains a challenge to accomplish colloidal synthesis of noble‐metal nanocrystals marked by high quality, large quantity, and batch‐to‐batch consistency. Here we report a self‐airtight setup for achieving robust, reproducible, and scalable production of Ag nanocubes with uniform and controlled sizes from 18 to 60 nm. Different from the conventional open‐to‐air setup, the self‐airtight system makes it practical to stabilize the reaction condition by minimizing the loss of volatile reagents. The new setup also allows us to easily optimize the amount of O2(from air) trapped in the system, ensuring burst nucleation of single‐crystal seeds, followed by their slow growth into nanocubes. Most significantly, the new setup allows for the production of Ag nanocubes at gram quantities without sacrificing uniformity, corner/edge sharpness, controlled size, and high purity across different batches. The availability of high‐quality Ag nanocubes in such a large quantity is anticipated to substantially boost their use in applications related to plasmonics, catalysis, and biomedicine.

     
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  3. Abstract

    Hybrid nanomaterials have found use in many biomedical applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of the principles, techniques, and recent advancements in the design and fabrication of hybrid nanomaterials for biomedicine. We begin with an introduction to the general concept of material hybridization, followed by a discussion of how this approach leads to materials with additional functionality and enhanced performance. We then highlight hybrid nanomaterials in the forms of nanostructures, nanocomposites, metal–organic frameworks, and biohybrids, including their fabrication methods. We also showcase the use of hybrid nanomaterials to advance biomedical engineering in the context of nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, theranostics, and biomanufacturing. Finally, we offer perspectives on challenges and opportunities.

     
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  4. Abstract

    Hybrid nanomaterials have found use in many biomedical applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of the principles, techniques, and recent advancements in the design and fabrication of hybrid nanomaterials for biomedicine. We begin with an introduction to the general concept of material hybridization, followed by a discussion of how this approach leads to materials with additional functionality and enhanced performance. We then highlight hybrid nanomaterials in the forms of nanostructures, nanocomposites, metal–organic frameworks, and biohybrids, including their fabrication methods. We also showcase the use of hybrid nanomaterials to advance biomedical engineering in the context of nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, theranostics, and biomanufacturing. Finally, we offer perspectives on challenges and opportunities.

     
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