Nanofiber membrane fragments with binder

Using nanofiber membrane fragments and binding agent to form nanofibrous block.

3D scaffold made out of pieces of non-woven membrane [Teo et al STAM 2011, 013002]

In cases where a relatively larger nanofiber thickness is preferred, crushing of the membrane to form a clump of nanofibrous scaffold is not feasible as the nanofiber membrane will tend to unravel. A simple method to overcome this problem is to cut the nanofiber membrane into pieces. A suitable binder such as gelatin or fibrin glue may then be used to consolidate the nanofibrous pieces.

Advantages

• Standard setup
• Allow culturing of cell on membrane prior to forming 3D scaffold
• Easy translation of 2D culture to 3D
• Allow different materials and cell culture to be mixed together at a later stage

Disadvantages

• Require the use of binders
• Nanofiber pieces may dislodge from the block when the binder de-generates.