Sanchez 3:00

Team 11

Disclaimer: This paper partially fulfills a writing requirement for first-year (freshmen) engineering students at the University of
Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. This paper is a student paper, not a professional paper. This paper is not intended
for publication or public circulation. This paper is based on publicly available information, and while this paper might contain
the names of actual companies, products, and people, it cannot and does not contain all relevant information/data or analyses
related to companies, products, and people named. All conclusions drawn by the authors are the opinions of the authors, first-
year (freshmen) students completing this paper to fulfill a university writing requirement. If this paper or the information therein
is used for any purpose other than the authors' partial fulfillment of a writing requirement for first-year (freshmen) engineering
students at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, the users are doing so at their own--not at the students',
at the Swanson School's, or at the University of Pittsburgh's--risk.

THE ELECTROSPINNING PROCESS CREATES NANOFIBERS THAT ARE

USED AS WOUND DRESSINGS TO ADVANCE THE TREATMENT OF
NONHEALING WOUNDS
Eric Peters ebp9@pitt.edu, Emily Tsang emt76@pitt.edu, Michelle Wang miw80@pitt.edu

Abstract—Tissue regeneration is a complex process that the
body must undergo in response to traumatic injuries or
wounds with openings or missing cell structures. Human
tissues generally have a limited capacity for regenerative
processes, leaving wound healings more susceptible to
infections and future complications. Recent studies show an
increased advantage in electrospinning fibers as a
replacement for current wound healing materials such as
bandages and gauzes. Ideal wound dressings should allow for
removal without any pain or risk of infection, promote wound
healing, and restore cell performance and function.
Electrospun fibers meet the criteria that ideal wound
dressings should, making them more effective and
advantageous. These nanofibers create a better healing
environment for the wound itself, as they can control the
moisture around the wound which produces a warm
environment and allows for gaseous exchange.
Electrospinning is a process that is both simple and cost-
effective, and there are many methods used to produce these
nanofibers, including phase separation, self-assembly, melt
blowing, and temple synthesis. By combining synthetic and
natural polymers, the process can create nanofibers with
multiple uses. This process results in a fiber mesh with
properties that make the wound dressing breathable and
allow for wound drainage. A specific application for using
electrospun nanofibers as an advantage for chronic wound
healing is the diabetic foot ulcer. Chronic wounds are a main
complication for patients with diabetes, so the goal of wound
care using electrospun nanofibers is to regenerate tissues.
Characteristics of chronic wounds include a shortage in the
extracellular matrix and the buildup of weakened tissues.
Electrospun fibrous scaffolds can mimic the extracellular
matrix, repairing the tissues and improving cell performance.
Electrospinning is a modern and efficient method to treat non-
healing wounds and can be useful for future medical
practices.
Key Words—Chronic wounds, Electrospinning, Electrospun
fibers, Nanofibers, Wound dressings
INTRODUCTION: ELECTROSPUN
NANOFIBERS ARE THE FUTURE OF
WOUND TREATMENT
Electrospun nanofibers are quickly becoming the future
of regenerative medicine, as they are replacing older wound
dressing practices such as bandages and gauzes. This is
because they have features that allow for the wound to heal in
an improved environment while reducing infections. These
nanofibers are made through a specific process known as
electrospinning. The term electrospinning, originally derived
from the term electrostatic spinning, is an old technique first
introduced back in 1897. Over the years, many patents were
taken on electrospinning as the method grew in popularity. By
the early 2000s, research for the creation of nanofibers using
the electrospinning process began to speed up even more.
This was due to an increase in interest for nanotechnology and
use of ultrafine fibers in research [1]. This paper will further
discuss the electrospinning process, provide a highly detailed
procedure as to how these nanofibers are made, and compare
synthetic to natural polymers along the way. Furthermore, the
paper will discuss why electrospun nanofibers are replacing
traditional wound dressing methods as the premier wound
dressing treatment. It provides optimal surroundings for the
wound to heal, while also allowing for a painless experience.
Compared to other forms of wound healing, electrospinning
is more efficient in the treatment of non-healing wounds. One
specific application is the treatment of electrospinning for
chronic wounds such as the diabetic foot ulcer. Chronic
wounds are dangerous if left untreated, as they can cause a
surplus of weakened tissue, which can also lead to infection.
Electrospinning combats this issue by creating a regeneration
of tissues around the wound [2, 3, 4].

University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1

First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019
Sanchez, 3:00
Team 11
THE ELECTROSPINNING PROCESS
Analysis of the Electrospinning Process and Techniques
Used for Nanofiber Production
Hale Karakas thoroughly researched the electrospinning
process and found that the process itself is much like one
called electrospraying. Both processes are based on the same
physical and electrical mechanisms to induce the formation of
liquid jets. The main difference between the two is that
electrospinning produces continuous fibers as opposed to
small droplets formed from electrospraying. The formation of
the small droplets in electrospraying results from the breaking
up of the electrified jet. Electrospinning, on the other hand, is
formed from the stretching of the electrified jet to create a
single strand of fiber [1].
It is possible to form nanofibers so small because the
process uses a high potential electric field. These fibers are
produced from submicron diameters down to nanometer
diameters. As stated previously, the electrospinning process
requires high voltages to induce the formation of liquid jets.
It then makes use of the electrostatic forces to stretch or melt
the solution as it solidifies. More specifics about the
procedure will be covered in a later section.
Besides electrospinning, there are other various
techniques that can be used to create nanofibers. The drawing
process can be used to produce very long, single stranded
nanofibers. This process uses viscoelastic materials with a
high enough cohesion that it can undergo strong deformations
while withstanding high amounts of stress. Template
synthesis is another process that can create nanofibers. The
usage of a nanoporous membrane cannot produce a one by
one continuous fiber like the electrospinning process. Instead,
it can create nanometer tubules and fibrils from other
materials. These materials include metals and
semiconductors, carbon, and conducting polymers.
Furthermore, phase separation is the time-consuming process
of transforming a polymer into a nanoporous foam. The final
process is called self-assembly. Similar to phase separation,
self-assembly is a lengthy process and requires a lot of time.
To create nanofibers, this process uses individual components
and organizes them into a desired pattern, which will then
determine its function [1]. All of these various processes have
the ability to produce nanofibers that can be used for further
applications, but electrospinning is the most commonly used
for nanofiber production.
Furthermore, the process itself is an efficient way to
produce the nanofibers needed for many applications. The
techniques used to complete the electrospinning process can
also be easily employed to laboratories. This ultimately makes
it easier to scale the process up to the industrial level and
implement larger production for specific applications. Chen
et al, Chou et al, and Suk Choi et al found that the
electrospinning process is very versatile. It is possible to
control the nanofiber composition in order to achieve a certain
function or a desired property of the nanofiber. The process
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019
can be used with a wide range of materials such as synthetic
and natural polymers as well as metals, ceramics, and
composite systems. Electrospinning can also produce other
nanostructures such as nanotubes and nanowires through the
alignment of nanofibers. These variations allow the
electrospun nanofibers to be applied to many scenarios,
including tissue engineering, wound healing, protective
clothing, drug delivery, etc [3,5,6].
The Procedure of Creating Nanofibers
In Professor Karakas’ article detailing the
electrospinning process, he digs deeper into the formation of
these fibers and details the specific steps needed to produce
the nanofibers used specifically for wound dressings. The
general process of creating nanofibers includes the usage of
high voltage to induce liquid jets that will stretch the solution
due to the electrostatic forces acting on it. The melted solution
will solidify as it is collected on the fiber mat. It is then
collected as a distribution of continuous nanofibers. For this
paper, the electrospinning process will mainly focus on using
polymer solutions, but polymer melts can also be used to
create nanofibers.
A typical setup for the electrospinning process will
contain three main components consisting of a capillary tube
connected to a pipette or a needle with a small diameter, a
high voltage supplier, and a metal collecting screen. It is
important to note that this process can be done vertically or
horizontally. The capillary tube contains the polymer solution
or melt and is electrically charged when a high voltage is
applied to it. The solution itself is made up of dissolved
polymers in a solvent. Following the application of the
voltage, the now charged jet of polymer solution undergoes
stretching as it is ejected from the needle. The polymer
solution solidifies as it meets the metal collector in the form
of a continuous nanofiber due to the evaporation of the solvent
[1].
One of the principle concepts of the electrospinning
process involves the interactions between the solution at the
end of the capillary right as it is about to exit and the electric
field. The polymer solution is held at its surface tension as the
tip of the capillary is exposed to an electric field. The electric
field intensity will continue to increase, which causes the
surface of the polymer solution to lengthen and begin to form
a conical shape. This is known as the Taylor cone, which is
an important component of the process. The electric field will
continue to increase until it reaches a value at which the
repulsive electric force overcomes the surface tension force
of the solution. At this point, a jet of charged solution will
eject from the capillary. The solvent will evaporate as soon as
the polymer solution makes contact with the air. The jet
originally starts out as a single strand, but at such a high
voltage electric field, the strand of polymers is split into
multiple fine strands of nanofibers which are then collected
onto the negatively charged plate. This behavior can be
summarized using three main stages. The Taylor cone will
2
Sanchez, 3:00
Team 11
form first, followed by the ejection of the polymers in the
straight-line jet, and finally, the unstable whipping stage
where the polymers will split into separate but continuous
strands of nanofibers [1].
The electrospinning process can be broken down into
various stages to better the understanding of how these
nanofibers are created from polymer solution. There are four
different regions in the electrospinning process. The base
region is the charged surface of the polymer solution at the
end of the capillary. The jet region is where the solution
travels in a straight pathway for a period of time. The splay
region is where the polymers split into many fine nanofibers.
Finally, the collector region is where the nanofibers
eventually distribute themselves and settle [1].
The Limitations and Potential Issues
Karakas also researched the limitations to using
electrospinning to form nanofibers and how changing
parameters would affect the fibers themselves. He found that
the manufacturing of nanofibers is specific and requires many
factors to be controlled in order to create a high-quality fiber.
For example, the diameters of each nanofiber must be
consistent and controllable. Furthermore, each nanofiber is
monitored to ensure that each fiber is free of defects or defect
controllable. Finally, the nanofibers themselves must be
continuous and easily collectable for later use [1].
There are also other factors that can affect the
production of the nanofibers. These parameters include the
solution, which is what the fibers are made of, the process,
which creates the nanofibers, and the ambient factors, which
include the temperature of the solutions and other surrounding
factors. By controlling these parameters, one can determine
certain characteristics of the formed nanofiber, monitor the
fiber morphology, and avoid issues like bead formation onto
the fibers.
When performing the electrospinning process to create
nanofibers, creating the optimal polymer solution can be
difficult. The solution is what the fibers are essentially made
up of. Factors that will affect the polymer solution include
viscosity, conductivity, molecular weight, surface tension,
concentration, polymer structure, and solution properties. For
example, there is an optimal solution concentration that
should be obtained for the electrospinning process.
Otherwise, problems can occur. If the concentration is too
high, the diameter of the nanofiber will be too large. If the
concentration is too low, it could trigger the electrospraying
process and the nanofibers will not form in continuous fibers.
There is also the risk of bead formation on the nanofibers
themselves.
Another parameter that has a major effect on the
formation of nanofibers is the electrospinning process itself.
Factors that can impact the process include the applied
electric force or voltage, the distance from the capillary tip to
the metal collector, feeding and flow rate, hydrostatic
pressure in the capillary, and plate movement. The voltage,
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019
for instance, is crucial for the electrospinning process because
it is what begins the entire process. A threshold voltage must
be exceeded for the solution to be ejected from the capillary
in order to begin the electrospinning process. Karakas
explains that there is scientific debate on whether or not it is
confirmed that the voltage has an effect on the nanofibers.
Some researchers found that it had little impact on their
nanofibers. Others found that applying a higher voltage
resulted in more nanofibers being produced but with a larger
diameter. The opposite has also been stated where researchers
found that the higher the voltage, the narrower the diameter
[1].
Finally, there are ambient factors that can affect the
production of nanofibers using electrospinning. These factors
include the humidity and temperature of the surroundings, the
temperature of the solution itself, and the air flow rate.
Karakas found that more nanofibers can be produced with
smaller diameters when the temperature is increased. On the
other hand, lowering the humidity has the potential to dry out
the polymer solution. He also found that by increasing
humidity, the surface of the nanofibers appeared to contain
small pores [1].
ADVANTAGES OF ELECTROSPUN FIBERS
OVER TRADITIONAL WOUND
DRESSINGS
There are many advantages of electrospun fibers as
wound dressings over traditional wound healing materials.
Currently, there are four categories of wound dressings:
passive (gauze, bandages), interactive (semi-permeable
films), advanced (hydrocolloids), and bioactive (drug
delivery) [7]. Each type of wound dressing is only suitable for
specific types of wounds, and each has its own shortcomings.
Bioactive dressings are the most capable of treating chronic
wounds, but they can be very expensive, and the drug release
design needs to be more controlled [7]. Other wound
treatments such as gels and creams are not classified as wound
dressings since they are not materials made from fibers or
polymers, but they are still remedies. Interactive dressings
include hydrogels, which are made from insoluble,
hydrophilic polymers, but these elastic sheets or films are
only gel-based materials [8]. Gels and creams are often
ineffective and require constant changing and monitoring,
making the treatment process painful and costly [5].
Traditional Wound Dressings
Wound dressings have been consistently advancing due
to new developments in technology over the last few
centuries, after the ancient Sumerians first began applying
“poultices of mud, milk, and plants to wounds” [7]. These
techniques were the first documentation of wound care. The
Egyptians also used honey, plants, and animal fat to bandage
wounds [7]. Recent developments have taken wound
3
Sanchez, 3:00
Team 11
dressings away from natural ingredients and towards products
such as gauzes, bandages, plasters, and cool wool. Gauze
dressings offer some protection against bacterial infection,
and gauze pads can absorb some of the wounds’ fluids, but
these need to be changed frequently to prevent healthy tissue
from macerating [8]. Gauze is not very cost effective because
so much material is needed when utilizing gauze dressings in
wound care. In cases with excess wound drainage, gauze
dressing can adhere to the wound, making it painful when
removing [8]. A few other shortcomings of the common
cotton gauze dressing include the reaction of cotton fibers
with foreign body and the risk of infection due to frequent
dressing changes [5]. Each time the dressing is changed, there
is tissue destruction and injury, which slows the healing
process.
Bandages are used for different functions, but most
cases deal with minor to mild wounds. Some are used for
compression and others are used to hold other dressings in
place [8]. Even when used as treatments, bandages are not
very strong and cannot treat severe wounds. Traditional
dressings are mainly used for clean and dry wounds with mild
drainage levels or as secondary dressings to provide further
protection from contamination. They fail to produce a moist
environment for the wound, so modern dressings have begun
to replace traditional ones [8]. Keeping wounds in a moist
environment helps to expedite the healing process, and this
discovery helped to produce an idea of how ideal wound
dressings should function.
Types of Modern Dressings
Modern dressings serve to facilitate the function of the
wound or injury rather than simply act as a cover. These
modern treatments concentrate on preventing wound
dehydration and promoting healing [8]. Currently, there are
four main categories of modern wound dressings. These
categories include passive, interactive, advanced, and
bioactive. Passive products are used to provide protection to
the wound from infection and further injury. These products
are similar to some of the traditional dressings, so they often
fail to create a suitable environment for wounds. Interactive
dressings are made of films and foams, which allow for
gaseous exchange. This type of dressing provides an effective
protection from bacteria and other forms of contamination.
Advanced dressings are capable of maintaining a moist
environment for the wound, which accelerates the healing
process. The last category, bioactive dressings, involve drug
delivery systems and biological dressings, which actively
promote healing by activating and driving cellular processes
[7]. Bioactive dressings suggest the future advancements of
wound dressings, as effective systems capable of healing
wounds while preventing infection have not been developed
yet.
Electrospun Nanofiber Dressings
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019
Fibers created from electrospinning are closer to ideal
wound dressings than traditional dressings in their functions,
which makes them more advantageous. Ideal wound
dressings should be able to protect wounds from mechanical
trauma and pathogens, absorb excessive exudate (liquid
produced by the body after tissue damage), allow for gaseous
and fluid exchanges, avoid adherence to wound during
removal, and provide a suitable environment for encouraging
healing [5, 7]. The perfect ideal wound dressing does not
exist, but electrospun fibers perform most of the functions of
ideal dressings. Nanofibers are nearly ideal for chronic
wounds since the electrospinning process is versatile and is
able to deliver various biological agents to the wound site [5].
They have the capacity to deliver high amounts of drugs to
the wound, which is effective, efficient, and speeds up the
healing process since the wound is aided in its natural healing
process. Nanofibrous meshes have been found to promote the
healing of injured tissues due to the high surface area and
small openings of the nanofibers. The high surface area
allows for fluid absorption and enhanced drug delivery [7]. A
wide variety of materials are able to produce electrospun
fibers for wound dressing, making electrospinning a versatile
process [5]. As a result, electrospinning is not as limited, and
the process is more flexible.
The electrospinning process is a simple and cost-
effective method for creating fibrous matrices. As previously
mentioned, a polymer solution goes into a capillary tube
limited by surface tension, and the solution is ejected when
the solution is exposed to an electric field. The electrostatic
repulsion then takes over the surface tension of the capillary
tube. The solvent evaporates and leaves behind polymer
fibers, which are collected to form a fabric that is similar to
the fibrous network of the extracellular matrix [9].
Electrospun scaffolds mimic the extracellular matrix,
which can enhance cellular performance in many ways. 3D
scaffolds have more flexibility in terms of cellular growth, as
it is usually limited to the top layer of the sheet-like fiber
produced by traditional electrospinning. Tissue replacement
is more easily developed from 3D network scaffolds than
from the traditional method. These scaffolds have been found
to improve cell attachment, movement, and gene expression
[9]. The similarity of the electrospun scaffolds to the natural
ECM allows for better cell performance and tissue repair.
Mimicking cell structures and a biologically active matrix
helps accelerate the healing process and provide recognition
for growth and recruitment, which are important to wound
healing.
To produce electrospun nanofibers, a wide variety of
materials may be used for the wound dressings. These
materials can be categorized into natural and synthetic
polymers [5]. Natural polymers are fairly abundant and easily
accessible, giving them many benefits when it comes to the
production of nanofibers. In most cases, natural polymers are
also biocompatible, biodegradable, and nontoxic. They mimic
the ECM well in structure, which accelerates the wound
healing process. Natural polymers are also very efficient in
4
Sanchez, 3:00
Team 11
repairing tissues and regenerating cells. The issue, however,
with these natural polymers is that they can be different to use
in electrospinning as a result of their molecular structure. One
solution to this obstacle is to pair the natural polymer with a
synthetic one when electrospinning [5].
Synthetic polymers have been widely used in
electrospun fibers due to their biodegradability and
biocompatibility. They can be paired with other synthetic or
natural polymers to make the electrospinning process simpler
and to provide drug delivery in wound healing. Synthetic
polymers can be split into water soluble or insoluble
polymers, allowing them to determine the rate of drug release.
Soluble polymers dissociate very quickly in aqueous
solutions, resulting in the fast release of drugs. On the other
hand, insoluble polymers disintegrate more slowly, so soluble
polymers are more efficient in drug delivery for wound
healing. A blend of soluble and insoluble polymers, however,
allows for controlled release, which is ideal in wound healing
applications [5].
ELECTROSPINNING APPLICATIONS FOR
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC WOUNDS
Nanotechnology can be applied to real problems in
several ways. Nanofibers are applied in biotechnology, drug
delivery, microelectronics, and environmental protection.
One of the applications that electrospun nanofibers are most
beneficial to is wound healing. When a wound is severe
enough, the natural ability of the body to rejuvenate itself is
simply not enough to restore all impaired functions. At this
point, the wound would be considered as non-healing, or
chronic [1].
Nonhealing Wounds
All wounds are contaminated with bacteria, so it is
important to be aware of the relationship that the nanofibers
and bacteria will have. Studies have shown that by making the
nanofibers a certain diameter, they can actually contribute to
bacterial proliferation. This will help drastically in the
recovery process because not only will the fibers stimulate the
regeneration, but they will also combat some of the problem
itself. If specific measurements can be confirmed to show the
ratio necessary for the fibers to limit the bacteria, then
electrospinning will become even more prominent in wound
healing [3].
With all wounds, it is essential for blood vessels to
surround the site of the injury, as they supply nutrition and
oxygen. When there is a shortage of blood vessels, the wound
will not receive the nutrients it needs to heal, stalling its
recovery process. Chronic wounds are in this stalled stage,
where they often take several months to finally heal.
There are several methods to treat chronic wounds, but
bioactive wound dressings are the most effective. These
dressings involve some sort of drug delivery system that
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019
works as a stimulant for the cells surrounding the wound,
serving as a catalyst to jumpstart the healing process.
Recently, the transportation method of these drugs has
improved drastically due to the implementation of
electrospinning. This process works so well because the fibers
create a damp environment that is optimal for wound healing.
This environment is crucial because it allows for easy removal
of excess cells, as well as reducing the risk for infection by
not allowing the fibers to come into direct contact with the
wound [5].
Applying Electrospinning to Nonhealing Wounds
When creating the electrospun polymers, they are
generally produced either synthetically or naturally. The
wound dressings that are derived are normally fabricated from
single solutions of polymers. Recently, it has become more
common practice to create the dressings from a mixture of
both natural and synthetic polymers. These hybrid nanofibers
allow for a smoother process of healing the wound, letting the
fibers interact more actively with the biomolecular cells that
initiate the healing process. The configuration of the polymers
is key in the difference in effectiveness separating
electrospinning wound healing from a standard gauze.
Typical electrospun wound meshes are constructed so that
they replenish structure of the tissues near the wound [5].
Electrospun fibers cause cells to spread to the site of the
wound, as well as to increase the production of new cells. This
restoration of cells is key in supporting the growth of the
tissue formations around the wound. Additionally,
electrospun fibers influence a state of homeostasis among the
cells and even allow for cell respiration. The fibers do a
tremendous job in creating a perfect atmosphere for the
surrounding cells to thrive and develop. Because the cells are
able to grow and function in superb conditions, they are much
more efficient in the healing process. Subsequently, the risk
for infection in the wound is drastically reduced when
nanotechnology is used as the form of wound healing.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer
One group of people most affected by chronic wounds
are those with diabetes. People with diabetes are more at risk
for chronic wounds because their high blood glucose causes
the arteries to stiffen, narrowing blood vessels and resulting
in nerve damage that makes their limbs more susceptible to
serious wounds. Specifically, chronic wounds are common in
the foot, where issues such as the diabetic foot ulcer can
occur. This is a very serious injury and is the leading cause
for hospitalization over any other diabetic related wound. If
left untreated, the foot ulcer can even lead to the loss of the
entire limb [3].
Given the seriousness of the diabetic foot ulcer, it is
paramount that treatment is executed as quickly as possible.
Electrospun nanofibers are readily available, as their creation
process is fairly simple and does not involve high expenses or
5
Sanchez, 3:00
Team 11
complex instruments. This makes nanofibers a perfect match
to combat this disease. When they enter the site of the wound,
the fibers will fight to block the spread of bacteria. By
cleaning out the wound of harmful bacteria, they also reduce
the likelihood that an infection will arise. The fibers also work
to speed up the tissue regeneration process by calling more
cells to the site. After treatment from the fibers, the wound
will usually heal in about 5-10 days [5].
A recent study conducted by Kangwon National
University investigated the validity of electrospinning
nanofibers as the best method of treatment against diabetic
wounds. The test subjects of this experiment were diabetic
rats with chronic wounds on their limbs. The goal of the
experiment was to administer a healing drug to the rats using
electrospun nanofibers, while maintaining a control group
that received no treatment or simply received the drug by
itself without being attached to nanofibers. Results of the
experiment showed that the drug delivered via nanofibers
drastically improved the condition of the wounds. The rats
that received the drug by itself saw mild healing, but it was
nothing major. As expected, the rats who received no
treatment saw no change in their wounds [6].
The conclusions drawn from this experiment clearly
show that administering the drug through the electrospun
nanofibers provided the most improvement in a rapid fashion.
Chronic wounds are a long-term injury, so finding a method
to heal them is a major advancement. By applying this
bioactive technology, the wound is mended in a quick enough
fashion that it will be replaced by newer and stronger cells.
The application of this electrospinning nanofibers is fairly
contemporary, but it is destined to treat many with diabetic
wounds.
Applying Electrospinning in the Future
While utilizing nanofibers as a system of drug delivery
to treat chronic wounds is already a remarkable feat, scientists
are working diligently to improve this process even more.
Specifically, current studies are being conducted on the
implementation of a biosensor that would be integrated within
the wound dressing. This sensor would be able to detect the
levels of bacteria infestation at any given point in the body. If
the sensor happens to find an area with a large quantity of
bacteria, it will automatically release a stored drug that would
work to eliminate the bacteria. If something were to go wrong,
doctors would be able to adjust the treatment to ensure the
most effective procedure is being conducted [5].
Electrospinning polymers are a very efficient method of
treating nonhealing wounds, but there is still lots to be
discovered about the manufacturing process. In order to
fabricate a mesh with all of the essential properties, it will
need to have certain levels of most of the parameters;
however, the levels of the parameters depend on the chosen
polymers and other cells involved in the process, making it
difficult to predict. Regardless of obstacles stalling a more
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019
proficient future, electrospinning nanofibers provide a very
successful method for treating chronic wounds.
CONCLUSION: AN EVALUATION OF THE
ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS
In conclusion, electrospinning is an efficient and
contemporary method of wound healing. It has many
advantages over traditional wound dressings, as nanofibers
can control moisture around the wound, creating a warm and
moist environment. Nanofibers also allow for gaseous
exchange and improve cell performance in tissue repair.
Fibrous scaffolds mimic the extracellular matrix, resulting in
better tissue repair and accelerated healing time.
Electrospinning is a more reliable process that provides an
excellent healing environment, resulting in a safe and painless
tissue regeneration process.
Electrospun nanofibers are especially beneficial for
chronic wounds and are widely used in many cases as a
treatment. The diabetic foot ulcer is one specific example that
electrospinning has had a major impact on. Since diabetes
inhibits the body’s natural healing ability, people with
diabetes need a treatment that will restore the body’s tissues
and cell performance to the level of a healthy body.
Electrospinning treatments protect the wound from potential
infection and accelerate the healing process.
The future of the wound dressing is a device that is able
to improve the healing process, prevent and treat infection
when necessary, and simultaneously monitor the status of the
wound. While electrospun fibers are one step in this direction,
there is still much more that needs to be developed and
achieved [7]. Sensors will need to be incorporated into the
electrospun meshes in order to detect bacterial contamination
and infection in the wound. The sensors would then trigger a
drug to be released to treat the wound’s current conditions [7].
This idea refers to an advanced, ideal wound dressing, but this
is most likely the future of wound dressings. As
electrospinning continues to advance, many of the current
obstacles will be overcome and new developments will bring
electrospun nanofibers closer to becoming ideal wound
dressings.
SOURCES
[1] H. Karakas. “Electrospinning of nanofibers and their
applications.” MDT ‘Electrospinning.’ Accessed 02.08.2019.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c0f9/502b76a9aa1c6f35b0d
ef7984a225d1d649e.pdf.
[2] L. Jeong, K. Su Rho, et al. “Electrospinning of collagen
nanofibers: Effects on the behavior of normal human
keratinocytes and early-stage wound healing.” Biomaterials.
09.06.2005. Accessed 01.17.2019.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.08.004.
[3] S. Chen, R. Li, et al. "Electrospinning: An enabling
nanotechnology platform for drug delivery and regenerative
6
Sanchez, 3:00
Team 11

medicine." Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 05.02.2018.

Accessed 01.17.2019.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2018.05.001.
[4] D. Cokeliler Serdaroglu, Mustafa Dogan, et al. “Aligned
polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofibers with advanced
electrospinning for biomedical applications.” Bio-Medical
Materials & Engineering. 2018. Accessed 02.19.2019.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph
&AN=132752692&site=ehost-live.
[5] S. Chou, A. Faglie, et al. "Electrospun Fibers as a Dressing
Material for Drug and Biological Agent Delivery in Wound
Healing Applications." Bioengineering. 01.27.2018.
Accessed 01.17.2019.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874875/.
[6] J. Suk Choi, K. Leong, et al. “In vivo wound healing of
diabetic ulcers using electrospun nanofibers immobilized
with human epidermal growth factor (EGF).” Biomaterials.
11.07.2007. Accessed 01.17.2019.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2007.10.012.
[7] M. Abrigo, P. Kingshott, S. McArther. “Electrospun
Nanofibers as Dressings for Chronic Wound Care: Advances,
Challenges, and Future Prospects.” Macromolecular Journals.
2014. Accessed 01.17.2019.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/982a/b28be76f65986230ba
0365ec1efe5cc58351.pdf.
[8] S. Dhivya, V. Padma, E. Santhini. “Wound dressings – a
review.” BioMedicine. 11.28.2015. Accessed 02.18.2019.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4662938/
[9] H. Chen, Y. Peng, S. Wu, et al. “Electrospun 3D Fibrous
Scaffolds for Chronic Wound Repair.” MDPI. 04.06.2016.
Accessed 01.25.2019. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-
1944/9/4/272/pdf.
[10] D. Ma, X. Shi, W. Zhou, et al. “Electrospinning of
Nanofibers and Their Applications for Energy Devices.”
Journal of Nanomaterials. 04.29.2015. Accessed
01.17.2019.https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/140716.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This paper is proudly dedicated to Mark A. Nordenberg.

His passion for success can only be matched by the abundance
of comfortable chairs located in his very own dormitory hall.
These exquisite chairs and pristine tables in his study rooms
provided the optimal atmosphere to complete this writing
assignment.

University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 7

First-Year Engineering Conference Paper
03.08.2019