Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Vahabzadeh, Sahar

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Biomaterials are widely used in medical applications such as implants, grafts, and drug delivery systems. The fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds that closely resemble the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for the development of tissue engineering. Out of these materials, biopolymers are the most commonly used materials that can be used in tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and hard tissue coatings applications because they can allow the controlling degradation rate. This study focuses on fabrication of monoaxial and coaxial electrospun fibers designed for improved tissue engineering outcomes. In the first research phase, the effect of solution concentration, applied voltage, and feed rate on the electrospinning were investigated separately by using monoaxial electrospinning and then by adjusting the monoaxial electrospinning parameters for core-shell structure, coaxial electrospinning was performed for different concentrations of trace elements like magnesium and copper and biomolecules like curcumin for core, and PLGA as shell structures and investigated the effect of parameters on core-shell fiber morphology. The morphology and chemical characteristics of the fibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). Results showed that fine-tuning the composition of trace elements and biomolecules impacted the fiber morphology, leading to improved fiber homogeneity.

Extent

104 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Available for download on Sunday, June 13, 2027

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