Background The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the formation of gap junctions between co-cultured HUVEC and ADSC across SiO2 membranes. Gap junctions are specialized intercellular connections through which nutrients and small molecules can be transported. HUVEC will be stained with CFDA (green) and ADSC will be stained with NG2 (red) . Gap junction formation will be identified by ADSC that are stained both green and…
SEPPUR-D-16-00198 Abstract Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were composed of imidazole functionalized graphene oxide (ImGO), a CO2-philic nano-sheet inorganic material, and poly(ether-b-amide) (PEBAX) for CO2 capture. MMM doped with 0.8 wt.% ImGO exhibits the best CO2 separation performance, which shows the CO2/N2 selectivity up to 105.5 combined with CO2 permeability of 76.2 Barrer (1 Barrer=10-10∙cm3(STP)∙cm-1∙cm-2∙s-1∙cmHg-1), surpassing…
We’ve known for some time that the sieving coefficient of our membranes changes over time. The reason for this is that at the start of the separation the concentration just above the membrane is the same as the bulk concentration, but as more and more fluid begins to pass through the membrane we get concentration polarization, and the membrane…
The following images are from ARPE-19 Cells cultured for 3 Weeks over here in Nottingham (thanks for help from Emilia Moradi, Victoria Ciampani, and Kevin Webb). MgF2 nanomembrane chips were positioned into a transwell insert and sealed using PDMS, a biocompatible polymer, creating a two-compartment transwell. After an ethanol sterilization, ARPE-19 cells were seeded in a 12 well…
Overview – The purpose of this study was to perform in vitro hemocompatibility testing (in accordance with ISO standards) on material substrates that could come in contact with blood when incorporated into the final device design of a portable hemodialysis machine. Therefore, understanding the blood response to the lift-off membrane (NPN with SU-8 grid, supported…
Introduction: At the last meeting, I introduced the new stirred cell device acquired in Tom’s lab (here). I have expanded the study to observe changes in flux and concentration for each of the membranes used. Experiments: Each of the experiments was run with BSA having an initial concentration of 1mg/mL, this concentration is determined using spectrophotometry…
I assembled two 2-chip dialyzers using the thicker, 75-nm NPN membrane chips (10 mm long multichannel, 22 mm x 24 mm). The dialyzers were pumped full of IPA, to fill with fewer bubbles, then infused with PBS for at least one hour. Unfortunately both of these either broke when hooked up to the animal, or…
In my earlier posts, as well as in Josh’s NPN paper and Tom’s ACS nano paper, we’ve talked a lot about the resolutions of nanoparticle separations. What we mean by it is how well the membrane is able to discriminate between two similarly sized particles. For instance, we predict that a series of gold nanoparticle filtrations…
Introduction: The lab purchased an Amicon 8010 Stirred Cell which has a 25mm diameter for membranes and holds 10mL of solution. The device works by placing the solution into the cell, pressurizing the system at 8-10 psi, and creates stirring via an elevated stir bar and the stir platform. This type of filtration system was chosen…
Since the new year there have been difficulties with charging the glass plate and the charge not being enough to capture the membrane. Synthetic silk was tested to see if the glass charged better but no difference was seen between the silk and a crew wipe. When materials were first being tested to use during…