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Forming of Protein Bubbles and Porous Films Using Co‐Axial Electrohydrodynamic Flow Processing
Author(s) -
Ekemen Zeynep,
Ahmad Zeeshan,
Edirisinghe Mohan,
Stride Eleanor
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201000308
Subject(s) - microbubbles , materials science , electrohydrodynamics , porosity , bubble , porous medium , drug delivery , chemical engineering , macromolecule , nanotechnology , ultrasound , composite material , chemistry , acoustics , mechanics , biochemistry , physics , electrode , engineering
Air and 5 wt.‐% BSA solution are used as a model system to generate protein‐coated microbubbles, which are significantly smaller in diameter than the processing needle apertures. The effects of processing parameters (applied voltage and flow rate) on the bubble size distribution and stability are studied. The optimal processing conditions are also explored in terms of heating of the solutions and prepared structures. Both individual microbubbles and porous films were successfully prepared using this method which has significant potential for the preparation of microbubbles for drug delivery systems, porous coatings, thin films, scaffolds and ultrasound contrast agents. The versatile nature of the method implies that many macromolecules and other active agents can be used.