Uniform biodegradable hydrogel microspheres fabricated by a surfactant-free electric-field-assisted method.
Uniform biodegradable hydrogel microspheres (HMS) with precisely controlled size have been fabricated using an electric-field-assisted precision particle fabrication technique. Particle agglomeration was prevented by charging the hydrogel drops and allowing Coulomb repulsion to separate them. As a result, surfactant-free and non-toxic particle fabrication was possible and the resulting microspheres were most suitable for biomedical and food-related applications. Due to the size uniformity, the present HMS may serve as a convenient yet most accurate vehicle for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents and other active ingredients.
Choy
Young Bin
YB
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, IL 61801, USA.
Choi
Hyungsoo
H
Kim
Kyekyoon  Kevin
K
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004563:Electrochemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D048271:Chitosan