Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
5-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Dr. Javier Macossay-Torres
Second Advisor
Dr. Hassan Ahmad
Third Advisor
Dr. Evangelia Kotsikorou
Abstract
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the most common knee injury in the United States; roughly 150,000 ACL surgeries are performed annually. The ACL lacks self-healing properties due to its location inside the knee’s intra – articular environment (IA). Treatments for ACL ruptures involve the use of autogenous grafts or allografts. More suitable treatments can be found in new bio engineered tissue scaffolds, composed of natural and synthetic polymers. The polymers provide stronger mechanical properties and the ability to promote cell adhesion. It is believed that mimicking the crimping pattern of human ligaments will enhance polymer properties. Four polymers were selected; Polycaprolactone and Polydioxane as natural polymers, and Tecoflex and Carbothane as synthetic polymers. All polymers were electrospun to produce nanofiber sized polymer mats. SEM images confirm smooth and oriented nanofibers for all polymer samples. Tensile strength data for uncrimped, crimped, twisted and multilayered samples confirm changes in the mechanical properties.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2015 Mariana Ocampo. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/effect-crimping-multilayering-twisting-on-polymer/docview/1706876967/se-2