Dielectrophoretically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes to Control Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Hydrogels to Fabricate Contractile Muscle Myofibers

摘要

Tissue engineering generally involves the proliferation and differentiation of cells within a scaffold that mimics the native extracellular matrix (ECM). Hydrogels are often used as scaffolds due to their high water content, biocompatibility, and bio-degradability. However, they generally have weak mechanical properties and low conductivity, which limit their application in regulating the behavior of electroactive cells, such as skeletal, cardiac, and neural cells. Therefore, controlling the mechanical and electrical properties of hydrogels is desirable in regulating cell behaviors. Electrically conductive and mechanically strong hydrogels have other important applications, such as in real-time monitoring of cellular activities,' developing hybrid three-dimensional (3D) electronics-tissue materials, and as bioactuators.