Electrospinning technology for the human body: recent advances from health detection, human protection, textile heat regulation to regenerative repair

Directory

1. Abstract

2. Research highlights

2.1 Application of electrospinning technology in health detection

2.2 Application of electrospinning technology in human body protection

2.3 Application of electrospinning technology in thermal regulation

2.4 Application of electrospinning technology in human regeneration and repair

3. Conclusion

1. Abstract

In the context of increasingly prominent human health issues, electrospinning is becoming an innovative and disruptive technology that promotes the pursuit and maintenance of human health in many ways. In recent years, relevant high-level studies have emerged in an endless stream, but they are widely distributed and lack subjective relevance. Here, we systematically and comprehensively review the contribution of electrospinning technology to human health from many aspects and perspectives. Firstly, the principle, development and application of electrospinning technology are briefly introduced. Then, the application of electrospinning technology to human health in four different stages of detection, protection, regulation and reconstruction is discussed in detail. Starting from the essential mechanism, each part is logically refined through the most representative examples, and the latest progress of related research is sorted out. The design concept, re-search method, applied materials, overall performance and existing problems are emphasized and evaluated. Finally, we summarize and discuss the challenges, bottlenecks and development prospects of electrospinning technology in the field of human health from a macro perspective, and give potential feasible solutions.

Figure 1 Typical applications of electrospinning in energy, environment, human health, etc

Figure 2 Illustrates some key applications of electrospinning in the field of human health

2. Research highlights

2.1 Application of electrospinning technology in health detection

(1) Physical sensors for health detection

Physical sensors can convert physical signals from the human body into electronic signals that can be seen in real time. The most basic requirements for physical sensors are good scalability, sustainability, lightweight and high strength. However, traditional physical sensors are based on elastoplastic films. Due to the impermeability of this material, itchiness can be caused after prolonged use. Therefore, for human health and comfort, researchers are working to make physical sensors that are breathable, biocompatible, antibacterial, and biodegradable. Therefore, electrospinning technology with great advantages is highly anticipated, and a series of physical sensors based on electrospinning nanofiber materials have been reported. The mixing method is the simplest method to make the electrospun film have good electrical conductivity.

(2) Biosensors for health detection

Biosensors can react specifically with target analytes through physicochemical interactions to produce physicochemical changes, and convert these changes into recognizable signals. The nanofibers prepared by electrospinning technology have a large specific surface area and are easy to be functionalized. Meanwhile, the larger porosity is also conducive to the diffusion of the identified objects, which can be better identified and improve the sensitivity. Therefore, electrospinning technology has many advantages in the field of biosensors.

2.3 Application of electrospinning technology in human body protection

(1) Air filtration

Air filtration has been one of the most important applications of electrospun nanofiber fabrics. The main reasons are the large surface area to volume ratio, adjustable porous structure and simple preparation process of electrospun nanofibers, which are conducive to the adsorption of air pollutant particles. Under normal circumstances, the concentration of pollution particles in the air is maintained at a low level. During the filtration process, the deposition of particles does not significantly change the physical properties of the electrostatic spinning nanofiber fabric. Therefore, it can be considered that the electrospun fiber air filter fabric works in a stable filtration process.

(2) antibacterial and antiviral

Combining with the characteristics of electrospinning technology, it is an effective and simple method to incorporate antibacterial agents into spinning stock solution. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are often the first choice for this purpose. The widespread use of masks, especially in the past two years, has brought giant pollution to the environment. How to design biodegradable masks is also a key consideration. Antibacterial and antiviral masks based on electrospinning technology will provide simple and effective protection for human health.

Figure 3 Masks

2.3 Application of electrospinning technology in textile heat control

(1) Increased thermal conductivity

It is a direct and simple method to improve the thermal conductivity of electrospinning film by mixing the material with good thermal conductivity into electrospinning solution to achieve passive cooling. In terms of technical principles and material preparation, the implementation of this strategy is not difficult. In particular, the micro/nano results of electrospun films are not required. However, the addition of solid thermal conductive materials can easily adversely affect the spinnability of the solution. Therefore, there are certain requirements for the selection and shape control of thermal conductivity materials.

2.4 Application of electrospinning in human regeneration and repair

(1) Skin care products

Over the past few decades, with the improvement of living standards and technology, people are increasingly pursuing a better quality of life, and the demand for beauty skincare products has grown exponentially. It is worth noting that in skin care products, the mask market is the most important category, accounting for up to 70%, and is still growing. The global facial mask market reached $2.1 billion in 2018 alone and is expected to reach $2.9 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period. Therefore, the mask field has great research and innovation value. From a technical point of view, the application of electrospinning technology in the field of facial mask can derive a new type of dry facial mask. When used, a small amount of water can dissolve the effective substances inside and be absorbed by the skin. The dry mask allows the internal nutrients to be preserved longer, avoiding oxidation or decomposition. This electrostatic spinning dry mask has obvious feasibility and many advantages:

First of all, electrospinning technology can easily load various effective substances into the nanofibers;

Secondly, nanofibers have a very high specific surface area, which can be quickly dissolved in water and quickly release effective substances.

Fourth, a small number of nanofibers have good adhesion on the substrate;

Finally, the use of electrospinning technology can quickly achieve large-scale industrial production of facial masks.

Figure 4 Dry facial mask

(2) Wound healing

There are thousands of wound healing dressings on the market. However, wound healing dressings based on electrospinning technology are still the focus of scientific research. This is because electrospinning technology has unique and irreplaceable advantages in this field: the first is the ability of electrospinning nanofibers to simulate the natural structure of the skin extracellular matrix (ECM). This makes the electrospun nanofiber dressing have good adaptability to wound contours. The second is the ability to control targeted drug delivery. Electrospinning can be used to load a variety of drugs, such as enzymes, growth factors, antibiotics or antioxidants, onto the interior or surface of nanofibers; Then, the mechanical parameters of electrospun nanofibers can be adjusted to affect cell growth and tissue regeneration, and finally regulate the wound healing process. Finally, the electrospun nanofiber dressing has good air permeability and adjustable wettability, which can realize special functions such as water resistance and moisture permeability, and improve a better environment for wound healing.

Figure 5 Wound Healing Dressing

3. Conclusions

Electrospinning technology plays an increasingly important role in the field of human health. From early detection to late reconstruction, electrospinning materials with unique micro/nanopore structures have incomparable advantages and characteristics to other materials. In this review, we first carried out a simple and comprehensive overview of electrospinning technology and analyzed the influence of conditions and the development of related equipment. In the following most important section, we give a comprehensive and detailed discussion on the respective applications of electrospinning in the field of human health. From mechanism to preparation method to application, we not only carried out comprehensive statistics but also carried out the parallel comparison. These excellent research works pushed this emerging research field into a new stage of development.However, there are still challenges and opportunities in this field under the favorable development prospects. 

Published：2023

Journal：NANO TODAY

Impact Factor：17.9

Paper link：https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1748013222003516?via%3Dihub