Electrically Guided Deposition of Electrospun Nanofibers for Fiber and Cell Pattern Formation

Abstract

The selective deposition of electrospun nanofibers to form fiber patterns on the substrates is a challenge. This study reports a simple and robust approach for the fabrication of electrospun nanofiber microarrays on different substrates, including aluminum foil, paper, glass slide, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), using a modified electrospinning setup. Formation of cell patterns on arrayed nanofibers, which are deposited on the PDMS substrate, is also demonstrated. The nanofiber microarrays could be used as a better substrate for cell culture compared to the current culture plate or dish, as electrospun nanofibers can mimic the architecture of the extracellular matrix. Nanofiber microarrays and cell microarrays developed in this study could be used for high-throughput sensing, drug/nanofiber formulation screening, and tissue patterning applications.