The main challenge of this research was to functionalize the surface of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) membranes with amphiphilic poly(2-oxazoline) (POx) in order to change PLGA chemical state and properties. Poly(2-oxazolines) are very powerful polymers, which thanks to active pendant groups can be easily functionalized with biologically active molecules or peptides. The membranes were prepared by dissolving PLGA, POx, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, 1000 Da) in methylene chloride (DCM), followed by PEG leaching. POx molecules were preferentially adsorbed at the interface PLGA-POx-PEG thanks to affinity to both hydrophilic (PEG) and hydrophobic (PLGA) chains. The properties of the membranes were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wettability tests. Cytocompatibility of the materials in contact with osteoblast-like MG-63 cells was studied by evaluation of cell viability (Alamar-Blue test), live/dead and phalloidin/DAPI staining. The results show that the presence of POx influenced topography of the PLGA membranes, but did not have an impact on their wettability. All membranes were fo-und cytocompatible with model osteoblasts. Presence of POx resulted in better cell adhesion as shown by microscopic studies after fluorescence staining for nuclei and cytoskeleton actin filaments. In summary, one-step phase separation process between PLGA, PEG, and POx, dissolved in DCM followed by drying and PEG leaching resulted in cytocompatible PLGA membranes with immobilised POx, which might be considered for guided tissue regeneration technique in periodontology and in bone tissue engineering.
The effectiveness of cast iron spheroidization with FeSiMg master alloy by the traditional method and using a reaction chamber placed in the cavity of foundry mould was compared. The method of cast iron treatment in mould cavity using a reaction chamber is an innovative technology developed by the Foundry Research Institute in Krakow. The effectiveness of the spheroidization process carried out by both methods was checked on a series of test castings. The article also presents the results of metallographic examinations and mechanical testing, including the discussion of magnesium yield and its assimilation rate.
Wzrost zapotrzebowania na produkcję detali odlewanych do form metalowych, szczególnie ze stopów aluminium, wymaga używania rdzeni na osnowie piaskowej w celu dokładnego odwzorowywania często skomplikowanych kształtów detali. Rdzenie wykonywane są na osnowie piasku kwarcowego w znacznej części z mas z żywicami, ale i coraz częściej używane są masy ze spoiwami nieorganicznymi. Oprócz zapewnienia rdzeniom odpowiednich parametrów wytrzymałościowych, powinny się one charakteryzować bardzo dobrą wybijalnością. Dlatego tak istotna jest dokładna i miarodajna ocena tego parametru przy ocenie technologii. Badania własne miały na celu opracowanie zmodernizowanej metody oceny wybijalności rdzeni z form metalowych zgodnie z wytycznymi firmy Nemak, uwzględniając przede wszystkim odlewy ze stopów aluminium. W ramach badań opracowano i wykonano prototyp formy metalowej z miejscem na umieszczenie rdzeni (znormalizowane kształtki ø 50x50 mm) do wykonania prób wybijalności oraz określono warunki przebiegu tej próby technologicznej.
EN
The increasing demand for production of details cast into metal moulds, especially of aluminium alloys, requires using cores made on the sand matrix in order to achieve the accurate reproduction of often complicated shapes of these details. Cores are made on the quartz matrix mainly of the core sands with resins, but more and more often the sands with inorganic binders are also used. Apart from the proper strength parameters, the cores should be characterised by very good knock out property. Therefore the accurate and reliable assessment of this parameter is so essential at the technology assessment. The own investigations were aimed at the development of the modernised method of cores knocking out from metal moulds, according to the requirements of the Nemak Company, taking into account - first of all - the aluminium alloys castings. The prototype of the metal mould with the space for cores placements (normalised shaped elements of ø 50x50 mm) for performing knock out tests were developed as well as conditions for such technological tests were determined.
W pracy przedstawiono wpływ temperatury zalewania (w zakresie od 1420°C do 1330°C, co 30°C) na efekt procesu sferoidyzacji przeprowadzonego metodą inmould, z zastosowaniem komory reakcyjnej. Metoda sferoidyzacji w formie, przy użyciu komory reakcyjnej, jest innowacyjną metodą sferoidyzacji opracowaną w Instytucie Odlewnictwa. Procesy sferoidyzacji i modyfikacji zachodzą jednocześnie podczas wypełnienia wnęki ciekłym metalem. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań zaprezentowano w postaci mikrostruktur wydzieleń grafitu oraz osnowy metalowej. Podano zmiany składów chemicznych żeliwa po procesie sferoidyzacji, w zależności od zastosowanych temperatur zalewania.
EN
The influence of the pouring temperature (within a range: from 1420°C to 1330°C, every 30°C) on the spheroidisation process, performed by the inmould method with the reaction chamber application, is presented in the paper. The inmould spheroidisation method, performed with the application of the reaction chamber, is the innovatory method developed in the Foundry Research Institute.The spheroidisation and modification processes occur simultaneously during the mould cavity filling with liquid metal. The results of the performed investigations are presented in the form of graphite precipitations and metal matrix microstructures. The changes, after the spheroidisation process, of the cast iron chemical compositions in dependence of the applied pouring temperatures, are given.
Microspheres (MS) made of resorbable polymer have been proposed as a cell growth support. They may be assembled to form cell constructs or be suspended in hydrogels allowing injection into injury location. High relative surface area of MS provides more efficient cell culture environment than traditional culture on flat substrates (multiwell plates, Petri dishes). In addition, MS structure, topography and surface chemistry can be modified to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. The aim of this study was to obtain resorbable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) MS and to modify their properties by changing manufacturing conditions of the oil-in-water emulsification to better control structural and microstructural properties of MS and their biological performance. To this end, water phase was modified by addition of NaCl to change ionic strength, while oil phase by addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Microstructural and thermal properties were assessed. Cytocompatibility tests and cell cultures with MG-63 cells were conducted to verify potential relevance of MS as cell carriers. The results showed that it is possible to obtain cytocompatible MS by oil-in-water emulsification method and to control diameter, porosity and crystallinity of MS with the use of additives to oil and/or water phases without negative changes in MS cytocompatibility. The results prove that modification of both phases make it possible to produce MS with desired/controllable properties like surface topography, porosity and crystallinity.
Two types of phosphate glasses 50Na2O-20B2O3-30P2O5 (NBP) and 30CaO-20Na2O-50P2O5 (CNP) with different content of TiO2 (0, 3 and 5 mol%) have been prepared by melt-quenching process. TiO2 was added to increase glass network stability. Physical properties of glasses were investigated by density measurements, differential scanning calorimetry and degradation in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Biological performance of glasses in a direct contact with osteoblast-like MG-63 cells was analysed with the use of resazurin test and live-dead staining. The results show that TiO2 addition increased density, glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) of both types of glasses. In the case of NBP glasses presence of TiO2 resulted in their fast degradation in PBS and acidification of cell culture medium. As a consequence such glasses did not support cell adhesion and growth, but they can be considered for e.g. drug delivery systems. On the other hand addition of TiO2 to CNP glasses resulted in enhanced cell adhesion and viability. Particularly positive results were found for CNP glass containing 5% TiO2, so it can be a good candidate as a scaffold material for bone tissue engineering.