Week 5
May 5, 2017
The team performed further research by testing out the formation of alchite fibers from the interaction of strands of alginate gel and chitosan solution. As with last week, we prepared a solution of sodium alginate by stirring alginate powder in water and adding red food coloring. Then, we siphoned the aqueous alginate in a pipette and squirted it into a bath of calcium chloride, producing long, thin strings of gel.
This gel was then submerged in a bath of chitosan solution. After a few minutes, the strand was taken out and placed on a paper towel to dry out.
The team performed further research by testing out the formation of alchite fibers from the interaction of strands of alginate gel and chitosan solution. As with last week, we prepared a solution of sodium alginate by stirring alginate powder in water and adding red food coloring. Then, we siphoned the aqueous alginate in a pipette and squirted it into a bath of calcium chloride, producing long, thin strings of gel.
This gel was then submerged in a bath of chitosan solution. After a few minutes, the strand was taken out and placed on a paper towel to dry out.
Alginate gel after interaction with chitosan
While the difference between normal alginate gel and gel that has been submerged in chitosan is not immediately apparent, there is a difference when held. The gel coated in chitosan is noticeably more structurally rigid, like rubber, while the normal gel felt jelly-like and fragile.
If we are to create skinny, cloth-like fibers, we will need a syringe rather than a pipette, so that the strands that form in the calcium chloride are thin enough to weave into a patch.
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