The Technology
Highly porous emulsion-templated polymers, known as polyHIPEs since they are synthesized in high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), are of interest for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering (see electron microscope image).
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a renewable-resource polymer that undergoes rapid degradation under hydrolytic conditions and is of great interest for biomedical applications and for applications where degradation is advantageous, such as controlled release. Moreover, the degradation behavior can be tuned by varying the molecular structure. The technology offers a novel method for fabricating highly porous PLA monoliths with unique properties.
Advantages
- The unique PLA properties are available in a highly porous monolith
- Rapidly biodegradable
- Renewable-resource-based
Applications and Opportunities
- Tissue engineering
- Controlled release system for biomedicine or agriculture
Business Development Contacts