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Self-folding micropatterned polymeric containers

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Abstract

We demonstrate self-folding of precisely patterned, optically transparent, all-polymeric containers and describe their utility in mammalian cell and microorganism encapsulation and culture. The polyhedral containers, with SU-8 faces and biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) hinges, spontaneously assembled on heating. Self-folding was driven by a minimization of surface area of the liquefying PCL hinges within lithographically patterned two-dimensional (2D) templates. The strategy allowed for the fabrication of containers with variable polyhedral shapes, sizes and precisely defined porosities in all three dimensions. We provide proof-of-concept for the use of these polymeric containers as encapsulants for beads, chemicals, mammalian cells and bacteria. We also compare accelerated hinge degradation rates in alkaline solutions of varying pH. These optically transparent containers resemble three-dimensional (3D) micro-Petri dishes and can be utilized to sustain, monitor and deliver living biological components.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Christina Randall for providing the beta cells used in this study and Jatinder Randhawa for valuable discussions on self-assembly of larger-scale scaffolds. We also thank Madeline Cohn for her part in early experimental work with the polymeric containers. This research was supported by the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program, part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, Grant No. 1-DP2-OD004346-01, DP2-OD004346-01S1, the Iacocca Family Foundation and the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

    Anum Azam, Kate E. Laflin, Mustapha Jamal, Rohan Fernandes & David H. Gracias

  2. Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

    David H. Gracias

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  1. Anum Azam
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  2. Kate E. Laflin
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  3. Mustapha Jamal
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  4. Rohan Fernandes
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  5. David H. Gracias
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Correspondence to David H. Gracias.

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Azam, A., Laflin, K.E., Jamal, M. et al. Self-folding micropatterned polymeric containers. Biomed Microdevices 13, 51–58 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-010-9470-x

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