title: Patterning nanoparticles in a three-dimensional matrix using an electric-field-assisted gel transferring technique.
abstract: In this paper, we describe an electric-field-assisted gel transferring technique for patterning on two- and three-dimensional media. The transfer process starts with the preparation of a block of agarose gel doped with charged nanoparticles or molecules on top of a screen mask with desired patterns. This gel/mask construct is then brought into contact with the appropriate receiving medium, such as a polymer membrane or a piece of flat hydrogel. An electric field is applied to transfer the doped charged nanoparticles or molecules into the receiving medium with a pattern defined by the screen mask. This printing method is rapid and convenient, the results are reproducible, and the process can be done without using expensive micro/nanofabrication facilities. The capability to pattern structures such as arrays of nanoparticles into three-dimensional hydrogels may find applications for positioning cell signaling molecules to control cell growth and migration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States.
authors.forename: Xiaoshu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Knupp
authors.forename: Qiaobing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D012685:Sepharose / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D012685:Sepharose