Determination of the Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Gelatin Based on Polymer Concentration and Fiber Alignment

The process of electrospinning has given the field of tissue engineering insight into many aspects of tissue engineered scaffolds, including how factors such as fiber diameter and porosity are affected by polymer concentration. However, the affects of fiber alignment upon the material properties of electrospun scaffolds remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine how the material properties of electrospun gelatin scaffolds are affected by changes in fiber alignment and starting gelatin concentration. Gelatin scaffolds, with starting concentrations of 80, 100, and 130mg/m1, were electrospun onto a target mandrel rotating at various speeds. Samples of each scaffold were taken parallel and perpendicular to the axis of mandrel rotation. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was performed on these samples, to determine how fiber alignment is affected by starting polymer concentration and the rotational speed of the target mandrel. Mechanical tests were aiso performed on these samples. Results were analyzed by Three-way ANOVA. It was determined that starting gelatin concentration, mandrel speed, and direction of fiber alignment interact together to produce effects on the mechanical properties of electrospun gelatin scaffolds.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2006

Author dc:creator

• Taylor, Leander, III

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. David G. Simpson

• electrospinning
• tissue engineering
• cell adhesion
• extracellular matrix
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
• Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1287

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2286