Alessandra Bianco

University of Rome Tor Vergata | UNIROMA2 · Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Impresa

Wood-polymer hybrids demonstrate unique perspectives in green architecture, energy-efficiency building, optoelectronics, photovoltaic devices, and energy storage materials. The fabrication of wood-polymer hybrids preliminary involves the acquisition of delignified wood templates. In this framework, the potentiality of species diffused in the Medite...

Due to global environmental concerns related to climate change, the need to improve the service life of structures and infrastructures is imminently urgent. Structural elements typically suffer service life reductions, leading to poor environmental sustainability and high maintenance costs. Graphene oxide nanosheets (GONSs) effectively dispersed in...

There has been increasing interest in using nanosized fillers in cement-based construction materials to upgrade mechanical properties, durability, and multi-functionality. In this context, graphene oxide (GO) is proved to be an effective candidate, and its interaction with cement can lead to remarkable enhancement in its macro-properties. To guaran...

The increase in concrete structures’ durability is a milestone to improve the sustainability of buildings and infrastructures. In order to ensure a prolonged service life, it is necessary to detect the deterioration of materials by means of monitoring systems aimed at evaluating not only the penetration of aggressive substances into concrete but al...

The impact of extra-low dosage (0.01% by weight of cement) Graphene Oxide (GO) on the properties of fresh and hardened nanocomposites was assessed. The use of a minimum amount of 2-D nanofiller would minimize costs and sustainability issues, therefore encouraging the market uptake of nanoengineered cement-based materials. GO was characterized by X-...

The impact of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of cementitious nanocomposites was investigated. A market-available premixed mortar was modified with 0.01% by weight of cement of commercial GNPs characterized by two distinctively different aspect ratios. The rheological behavior of the GNP-modified fresh admixt...

In this study an extensive experimental campaign has been conducted on mortars modified with nano-Graphite (nG) aimed to assess the properties of the resulting nanocomposites in terms of density, microstructure, flexural and compressive strength, damping ratio, thermal and electrical conductivity. Permeability properties were also investigated in t...

Graphite nano-platelets (GNPs) and graphene oxide (GO) modify cementitious materials from the nano- to the macroscale, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties, durability and, eventually, physical multi-functionality. A systematic study on EN 998-2 premixed mortars modified with GNPs or GO is reported. Rheological properties of fresh mortars we...

The median sternotomy can rise in rib and/or sternum micro/macro-fractures and/or brachial plexus injuries, which can even evolve in chronic pain with significant impact on patient’s quality life. Post-sternotomy chronic pain is recognized as a multifactorial complex issue, and it has been assessed that sternum retraction forces, applied by the sur...

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4562.

The present communication investigates an application of alginate encapsulation technology to the differentiation of the embryonic cancer stem NTera2 cells (NT2) into dopamine-producing cells. The encapsulation of cells in polymeric beads allows their immune isolation and makes them eligible for transplantation, thus representing a promising biotec...

Nature Communications 5 : Article number: 3562 10.1038/ncomms4562 ( 2014 ); Published 15 April 2014 ; Updated 21 March 2017 This Article is retracted by the authors. Nature Communications previously issued an Editorial Expression of Concern ( http://www.

Nature Communications 5 : Article number: 4562 10.1038/ncomms4562 ( 2014 ); Published: 15 April 2014 ; Updated: 14 October 2016 . Nature Communications is publishing an editorial expression of concern on the manuscript ‘Experimental orthotopic transplantation of a tissue-engineered oesophagus in rats’ from Sjöqvist et al.

Silicon-substituted hydroxyapatites (Si-HAps) have gained a lot of attention due to the improved bioactivity and biological responsiveness with respect to pure hydroxyapatite (HAp). This chapter presents a complete review of the Si-HAp and highlights the influence of the Si incorporation on the material characteristics and properties by describing...

Tissue engineering for reconstruction/regeneration of airways can be regarded as a potential approach for the treatment of severe pathologies that can dramatically impair the correct function of the involved organs. Total or partial transplantation can be the surgical solution for these occurrences, but several limitations are generally associated...

Polymeric coating systems exhibit high potentiality to provide an effective barrier against corrosion of metallic surfaces. However, these coatings can lose their protective characteristics because of their high susceptibility to damage. Thus, the addition of corrosion inhibitors is desirable and considered as an alternative route for active corros...

In this work, the synthesis of RKKP bioactive glass composition by an aqueous sol-gel method is reported. A complete and systematic characterisation of the produced material was carried out. Characteristic functional groups were detected by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, the thermal behaviour was investigated by simultaneous therm...

Several metals and alloys are susceptible to corrosion attack and this usually implies the accurate selection of a specific material depending on the working conditions and the characteristics of the environment to which it will be exposed to. However, it could represent a restriction at the same time because a limited range of materials can be pra...

Tissue-engineered tracheal transplants have been successfully performed clinically. However, before becoming a routine clinical procedure, further preclinical studies are necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms of in situ tissue regeneration. Here we describe a protocol using a tissue engineering strategy and orthotopic transplantation of...

Highly porous scaffolds with composition similar to those of 45S5 and 58S bioglasses were successfully produced by an innovative processing method based on preceramic polymers containing micro- and nano-sized fillers. Silica from the decomposition of the silicone resins reacted with the oxides deriving from the fillers, yielding glass ceramic compo...

Decellularized tissues and organs represent a suitable option for tissue engineering when specific scaffolds are needed. However, the optimal conditions to completely remove all the cellular components and minimally affect the biochemical and structural properties of the extracellular matrix are still to be found. For this aim, bioreactors could be...

Transplantation of tissues and organs is currently the only available treatment for patients with end-stage diseases. However, its feasibility is limited by the chronic shortage of suitable donors, the need for life-long immunosuppression, and by socio-economical and religious concerns. Recently, tissue engineering has garnered interest as a means...

A tissue-engineered oesophageal scaffold could be very useful for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with benign or malignant diseases such as carcinomas, trauma or congenital malformations. Here we decellularize rat oesophagi inside a perfusion bioreactor to create biocompatible biological rat scaffolds that mimic native architecture, r...

The development of tracheal scaffolds fabricated based on electrospinning technique by applying different ratios of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PU) is introduced here. Prior to clinical implantation, evaluations of biomechanical and morphological properties, as well as biocompatibility and cell adhesion verifications are requ...

The fabrication of an instructive bioabsorbable scaffold is one of the main goals for tissue engineering applications. In this regard, genipin cross-linked gelatin scaffolds, produced by electrospinning, were tested as a platform to include decellularized rat brain extracellular matrix as an active agent to provide fundamental biochemical cues to t...

Microstructure, surface topography, thermal and mechanical features of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) electrospun non-woven mats were modified, modulated and tailored through blending with different polyethylene oxide (PEO) amounts (20, 30 and 50% wt/wt). The optimal parameters of the soaking protocol for the selective removal...

Tissue engineering represents a potential and valuable approach for the treatment of urologic pathologies. Bioresorbable polymeric scaffolds can be regarded as effective platforms to surgically treat bladder diseases and subsequently guide the formation of novel tissue after implantation. To this aim, the evaluation of electrospun scaffolds made up...

Rapid and controlled vascularization of engineered tissues remains one of the key limitations in tissue engineering applications. This study investigates the possible use of natural extracellular matrix-like scaffolds made of gelatin loaded with human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a bioresorbable platform for long-term release and c...

Foams of polycaprolactone (PCL) and microbial polyester (poly-hydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate, PHBV with 10% mol PHV) were produced by particulate leaching in an urea preform and subsequent preform dissolution in distilled water. Films were also cast to compare mechanical and shape memory performances. SEM observations of foam sections showed that...

Blending allows to tailor and modulate the properties of selected polymers. Blends of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were fabricated by electrospinning in different weight ratios i.e. 100:0, 80:20, 70:30, 50:50, 0:100. In order to evaluate the influence of PEO addition on the final properties of PH...

In this work, the sol-gel synthesis of AP40 bioactive glass system was reported. The obtained powder was fully characterised in terms of microstructure, composition and thermal behaviour by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). In vitro dis...

In the last years, bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics drew the attention for their application in the production of implants. Among them, Bioglass® 45S5 is the most commonly used in terms of bioactivity, but its sintering behavior and the related glass-ceramics strongly depend on the followed synthesis process. For these reasons, this paper repor...

Vascular tissue engineering is a relevant research field aimed at elaborating and proposing innovative solutions to overcome the drawbacks related to the use of conventional blood vessel substitutes, especially referring to small-diameter grafts. For this aim, electrospinning can be regarded as a valuable technique to produce novel scaffolds with s...

Thrombosis is the main cause of failure of small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts when used for by-pass procedures. The development of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds with localized and sustained intra-luminal antithrombotic drug release could be considered a desirable improvement towards a valuable solution for this relevant clinical need. For...

Calcium phosphate-based materials should show excellent bone-bonding and cell-mediated resorption characteristics at the same time, in order to be employed for bone replacement. In this perspective, pure (HAp) and silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HAp, 1.4% wt) porous cylinders were prepared starting from synthesized powders and polyethylene s...

Tissue engineering can effectively contribute to the development of novel vascular prostheses aimed to overcome the well-known drawbacks of small-diameter grafts. To date, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a bioresorbable synthetic poly(α-hydroxyester), is considered one of the most promising materials for vascular tissue engineering. In this work, the p...

Magnesium alloys represent a valuable option for the production of bioresorbable implantable medical devices aimed to improve the therapeutic approach and minimize the potential risks related to biostable materials. In this regard, the degradation process needs to be carefully evaluated in order to assess the effectiveness of the regenerative suppo...

In this work, the 45S5 bioactive glass was synthesized through an aqueous sol-gel method. Characteristic functional groups were evidenced by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the thermal behaviour was investigated by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, crystallization kinetics and phase evolution were followed by X-ray diffr...

Bioengineered tissues created for transplant will be expected to survive and contribute to function over the lifetime of the individual. To evaluate potential intrinsic changes and degradation of the extracellular matrix of decellularized human tissue scaffolds, human decellularized tracheas were evaluated over a one year period in vitro. Human tra...

The deposition of innovative glass-ceramic composition (i.e. RKKP) coatings by Pulsed Lased Deposition (PLO) technique is reported. RKKP was synthesised following two methodologies: melt-processing and sol-gel, the latter being particularly suitable to tailor the compositional range. The PLD advantage with respect to other deposition techniques is...

In this study, we investigated whether multipotent (human-bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [hBM-MSCs]) and pluripotent stem cells (murine-induced pluripotent stem cells [iPSCs] and murine embryonic stem cells [ESCs]) respond to nanocomposite fibrous mats of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) loaded with 1 or 8 wt % of calcium-deficient nanohydrox...

Wollastonite–hydroxyapatite ceramics have been successfully prepared by a novel method, corresponding to the thermal treatment in air of a silicone embedding micro- and nano-sized fillers. CaCO3 nano-sized particles, providing CaO upon decomposition, acted as “active” filler, whereas different commercially available or synthesised hydroxyapatite pa...

In this study, the obtainment and characterization of decellularized rat tracheal grafts are described. The detergent-enzymatic method, already used to develop bioengineered pig and human trachea scaffolds, has been applied to rat tracheae in order to obtain airway grafts suitable to be used to improve our knowledge on the process of tissue-enginee...

Non-woven hybrid membranes based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and as-synthesized β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were obtained by the electrospinning technique. A wide range of composition was investigated, the filler content spanning between 2 and 60 wt%. The synthesis of the β-TCP powder was accomplished by titration of calcium hydroxide with pho...

To date, only two human laryngeal allotransplants have been reported and, although they were successful, both patients required life-long immunosuppression. A bioengineered human larynx could represent a possible alternative to allotransplantation. Human larynxes were decellularized enzymatically to obtain acellular matrices. Histological and molec...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of a decellularization protocol on the structure and the mechanical behavior of small-diameter (<6 mm) tibial calf arteries and veins. Calf vessels were decellularized by a detergent-enzymatic method (DEM), partially hydrolyzed with trypsin and subsequently cross-linked using poly(ethyle...

The electromagnetic (EM) properties of hybrid poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/carbon nanofiber films and electrospun mats at microwave frequencies (8.2–12.4GHz) were assessed by means of wave guide measurements. It was found that, on equal composition, the two systems present very different permittivities, that in the case of electrospun mats is far lower tha...

The study of the luminescent properties of the rare-earth (RE) elements hosted in different crystalline matrixes is strongly motivated due to technological applications in optoelectronic devices and flat panel displays. In particular, it is known that nanostuctured titania (TiO2) is a promising host material for several trivalent rare earth ions. I...

Electrospinning of bioresorbable polymers is a promising and valuable scaffolding technique. To improve its potential applications, the addition of specific fillers has been considered. This paper reports the fabrication of electrospun poly(L-lactic acid)/Ca-deficient-hydroxyapatite (PLLA/dHAp) mats, the content of nanosized d-HAp ranged between 1...

Tricalcium phosphates incorporating small amounts of Mg show attractive biological performances in terms of enhanced bone apposition, bone in-growth and cell-mediated degradation. A systematic investigation on Mg-stabilized β-TCP (β-tricalcium phosphate, β-Ca3(PO4)2) is presented. Microstructure, composition and thermal behaviour were investigated...

Poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were blended in different ratio, e.g. 30/70, 50/50 and 70/30 (w/w), by means of solvent casting or electrospinning. Microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of cast films and non-woven mats were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-...

Undoped and rare earth (RE = La, Eu and Er)-doped titania nanofibers have been fabricated by electrospinning technique, starting from polyvinylpyrrolidone, titanium tetraisopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)4) and Eu(NO3)3, La(NO3)3 and Er(NO3)3. A systematic microstructural and spectroscopic characterisation of RE-doped TiO2 nanofibers is presented by means of s...

Undoped and Europium-doped titania nanofibers have been fabricated by electrospinning technique, using a single multielement Titanium/Europium source. In this communication we present the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterisation of Eu-doped TiO2 nanofibers starting from polyvinylpyrrolidone, titanium tetraisopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)4) an...

Electrospinning technique was used to prepare the nanofibres of pure and Europium (Eu)-doped titania with Eu content of 3-10% mol. The solution was electrospun in air at room temperature. The obtained fibrous mats were thermally treated at 500 or 1000 degrees C. Morphology and phase analyses of the resulting fibrous ceramic mats were carried out by...

Zn-doped TiO2 nanofibers shelled with ZnO hierarchical nanoarchitectures have been fabricated combining electrospinning of TiO2 (anatase) nanofibers and metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of ZnO. The proposed hybrid approach has proven suitable for tailoring both the morphology of the ZnO external shell as well as the crystal structure...

Carbon nanostructures (CNSs) are attractive and promising nanomaterials for the next generation of tissue engineering scaffolds, especially in neural prosthesis. Optimizing scaffold vascularization may be an important strategy to promote the repair of damaged brain tissue. In this context, the idea was to evaluate the cell response of electrospun n...

Fluorine-substituted hydroxyapatites are considered promising materials for bone scaffolding. In this study a systematic investigation on F-half substituted hydroxyapatite (F-HAp, Ca10(PO4)6OHF) obtained by precipitation is reported. Results on composition analysis, thermal behaviour, and sinterability are presented for a comparison with the respec...

Biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds can provide a convenient support for stem cell differentiation leading to tissue formation. Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds are clinically used for applications such as spinal fusions, bone tumors, fractures, and in the replacement of failed or loose joint prostheses. The incorporation of small amount...

This work focuses on the evaluation of the potential use of electrospun poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) micrometric and/or sub-micrometric fibrous membranes for rat hippocampal astrocyte (HA) and rat cerebro-microvascular endothelial cell (CEC) cultures. Both mats supported cell adhesion, proliferation, cellular phenotype and spreading. Microfibro...

This paper reports a systematic investigation on Mg-substituted hydroxyapatite (Ca10−xMgx(PO4)6(OH)2) nanopowders produced by precipitation of Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and Mg(NO3)2. The Mg content ranged between 0.6 and 2.4wt%. Semicrystalline Mg-substituted hydroxyapatite powders made up of needle-like nanoparticles were obtained, the specific surface area r...

Composite materials based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and carbon nanofibres (CNFs) were processed by solvent casting and electrospinning. The main objective was to investigate the effects of the CNFs on the microstructural, thermal and mechanical properties of the PCL matrix composites processed by two different routes. The hybrid materials obtai...

Nanohybrid scaffolds mimicking extracellular matrix are promising experimental models to study stem cell behaviour, in terms of adhesion and proliferation. In the present study, the structural characterization of a novel electrospun nanohybrid and the analysis of cell response by a highly sensitive cell type, embryonic stem (ES) cells, are investig...

Electrospinning is a valuable technique to fabricate fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering. The typical nonwoven architecture allows cell adhesion and proliferation, and supports diffusion of nutrients and waste products. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) electrospun membranes were produced starting from 14% w/v solutions in (a) mixture 1:1 tetra...

Synthetic hydroxyapatites incorporating small amounts of Si have shown improved biological performances in terms of enhanced bone apposition, bone in-growth and cell-mediated degradation.This paper reports a systematic investigation on Si-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si 1.40 wt%) nanopowders produced following two different conventional wet methodol...

Pure and Europium-doped titania nanofibers weresuccessfully fabricated by the electrospinning technique,using for the first time a single multielementTitanium/Europium source. Eu content was 5 %mol.Microstructure was studied by means of scanningelectron microscopy (SEM), thermal behaviourfollowed by thermogravimetric and differential thermalanalysi...

Fibrous poly(vinyl alcohol)/zirconia and poly(vinyl alcohol)/alumina nanohybrids were obtained by electrospinning technique, the applied voltage ranging between 12 and 16 kV. The actual nanofiller content ranged between 2 and 9 wt%. Electrospun nanohybrids consisted of uniform fibers free of defects. The average fiber diameter was around 600 nm for...

Yttrium–iron garnet (YIG)-based ceramics are largely used in microwave devices, sensors, lasers, phosphorescent sources, and magneto–optical applications. In this research, high-density, single-phase Gd(0.4)-YIG were obtained by spray drying starting from nonstoichiometric, iron-rich, metal nitrate solutions. Aqueous metal nitrate solutions, contai...

Gadolinium-substituted yttrium iron garnets are ferrite materials of primary importance in microwave engineering. Stoichiometric powders of nominal composition Y2.6Gd0.4Fe5O12 (i.e. Fe/(Y + Gd) = 1.67) were prepared by reverse strike coprecipitation of metal nitrates. In order to investigate the influence of composition on phase formation, non-stoi...