1. Using Polycaprolactone for Tissue Regeneration
A Research Study by: Satish Bhat
UCONN - STORRS

2. Abstract
Biomedical engineering and tissue regeneration are novel fields of research. Lives are lost everyday across the world because of the lack of donor organs. By producing these organs artificially, those people would be able to continue their lives. It was hypothesized that polycaprolactone would be a viable material to use in tissue engineering. This hypothesis was based on previous research that had been done. In this study, many specific analytical tests had to be done to find valid results. For example, a NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) test was done as well as thermal analysis. During the course of the study, several important results were gained. Thus far, polycaprolactone has been shown as a valid material to be used in tissue engineering. The results of the NMR test showed the presence of stable ions in the polymer as polylactic acid. Polylactic acid is a polymer that is currently being successfully used in tissue engineering. Also, thermal analysis tests showed that the polymer is a thermoplastic and has very similar characteristics to polylactic acid. Results obtained suggest that polycaprolactone is a strong contender for tissue scaffolding. NMR results show the magnetic pulse for polycaprolactone was radiated back out at the same frequency as polylactic acid. Polylactic acid is successfully being used, and because polycaprolactone has similar characteristics; it can possibly be used in scaffolding. Lives can be saved with this research, and polycaprolactone also is better for the environment because of its biodegradability characteristics.
3. Motivation

Polycaprolactone is a seven-membered polymer with the formula (CH2)5CO2

4. Lives are lost because organs die due to old age and disease donor organs save those people 5. Donors are not always available, synthetic organs come into playExample of Tissue Scaffold
6. Hypothesis

It has been hypothesized that polycaprolactone will have similar characteristics to polylactic acid, and will be a viable material for scaffolding

7. Prior research has shown that PCL scaffolds possess mechanical properties within the lower range ofbone, suggesting that they may have the ability to withstand early functional loading.How to create grafts for human use
8. Research Question

Can polycaprolactone be used in tissue engineering?

9. Being investigated by comparing to already used polymer, polylactic acid 10. IF similar characteristics, then strong contender for use in scaffolding.How to create polycaprolactone
11. Materials

0.0620g of Schwartz catalyst (Cp2ZrClH) at room temperature

12. 0.0161g of initiator (terepthaldehyde) at room temperature 13. 3mL of solvent (toluene)at room temperature 14. Argon gas to replace atmosphere 15. Access to a clock 16. Liquid nitrogen 17. 1.0300g of caprolactone at room temperature 18. NMR test 19. GPC test 20. DSC test 21. Thermal analysis 22. Mechanical analysis 23. Stress test 24. Lab notebook 25. Ring 26. Test tube 27. Hot plate that can spin test tubes 28. Thermometer 29. Two 5mL syringes 30. Analytical balance 31. DSC pansChemical Structure of Caprolactone
32. Procedure
33. Calculations
This figure shows the calculations used to obtain the amount of each substance.
34. NMR Results
This figure is the results of the NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Test
35. Structures of Materials
Polycaprolactone
Caprolactone/Zr = 1/2
Cp2ZrHCl (Schwartz Reagent)
Caprolactone
36. GPC Results
37. Mechanical Testing Results
PCL Mn = 218,000
modulus
38. DSC Results
Heating Scan
Cooling Scan
PCL
PCL
P(DL)LA
Heat Flow
P(DL)LA
PCL-b-P(DL)LA
PCL-b-P(DL)LA
PCL-co-P(DL)LA
PCL-co-P(DL)LA
Temperature (C)
Temperature (C)
39. Conclusions

NMR Results show that peaks (hydrogen bonds) are in the same location as polylactic acid

40. Peaks at 6.8, 4.0, 1.8, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.0 (same locations as polylactic acid) 41. Possibly strong contender for tissue scaffoldingPolycaprolactone
42. Error Analysis

Further research includes finding more materials that can be used in tissue engineering

43. Argon gas was not injected perfectly due to the ring on the test tube not being tight enough 44. All measurements are never perfectFront light mount from PCL
45. Acknowledgements
Research was assisted by Assistant Professor at UCONN Storrs Dr. Alexandru Asandei and Graduate Student Christopher Simpson.
Research was conducted at the Institute of Material Sciences Polymer Building, 97 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT.
46. Citations
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