Intellectual Property Office
Non-Confidential Disclosures
“Sculptured Thin Films to Control Cellular Processes”
PSU Inv. Disc. No 3144
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Keywords
Nanotechnology, Thin Films, Biocompatible, Polymer
Inventors:
Melik Demirel, Akhlesh Lakhtakia
Links:
Inventor Website - 1
Inventor Website - 2
Background:
Controlling cellular proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion is essential for many biotech applications. One may presently achieve such control with sculptured thin films (STF's) of microscale topography and these films can be functionalized to promote cellular processes. However, the materials comprising these films are frequently incompatible with cellular matter (e.g., silicon rapidly degrades when interacting with biofluids). An interesting alternative is polymeric STF's of nanoscale topography, which do not necessarily need to be functionalized since their very topography alters cellular processes.
Invention description:
The disclosed invention entails polymeric STF's of nanoscale topography. The films feature porous, three-dimensional textures at both the nanoscale and microscale thereby promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. They are made of biocompatible materials and are formed by physical and chemical vapor deposition - no masks are needed. One may coat the films in strips, sheets, or on prefabricated polymeric and inorganic parts.
Advantages:
- Porous, three-dimensional textures
- Biocompatible, can be functionalized if needed
- Inexpensive, rapid fabrication
- Coatings of implants and prosthetics
Contact:
Richard M. Weyer
Sr. Technology Licensing Officer
Intellectual Property Office
113 Technology Center
The Pennsylvania State Univ.
University Park, PA 16802-7000
Phone: (814) 865-6279
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail:rmw4@psu.edu |
