Publication Date
2019
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Caroline G.L. Cao, Ph.D. (Advisor); John C. Gallagher, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Tarun Goswami, D.Sc. (Committee Member); Ulas Sunar, Ph.D. (Committee Member) Lawrence Drummy, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (MSBME)
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a naturally occurring bio-polymer found in areas of high cartilage in mammals. In directed applications, such as hydrogels, CS can be used to impact keratinocyte growth cycles. In this work, CS based hydrogels were utilized to accelerate wound healing and, in conjunction with a graphene sensor, monitor wound fluid pH. The hydrogels were cast onto a graphene field effect transistor (GFET) to obtain the benefits of the hydrogel wound healing capabilities, while also utilizing the pH sensitivity of the graphene. Results showed that the hydrogel caused a fivefold increase in cell size over the course of 5 days compared to the control, and accelerated keratinocyte proliferation by an average of 81% when compared to a control. The GFET resistance changed as a function of pH, however, the resulting pH response was parabolic. Further investigation into pH sensitive 2D materials may be necessary in order to optimize and fabricate a functional wound monitoring device.
Page Count
102
Department or Program
Department of Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering
Year Degree Awarded
2019
Copyright
Copyright 2019, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
