PhD Scientific Days 2026

Theoretical and Translational Medicine 2.

Electrospinning of Cellulose Based Fibers for Biomedical Applications

Name of the presenter

Szilágyi, Viktor

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Laboratory of Nanochemistry, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

Authors

Viktor Szilágyi¹, Nóra Neufeld¹, Ákos György Juhász¹, Angéla Jedlovszky-Hajdú¹
1: Laboratory of Nanochemistry, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

Text of the abstract

Electrospinning is a flexible technique for fabricating nonwoven fibers across the nano to microscale and is widely applied in biomedical engineering. Because electrospun fibrous networks closely resemble the natural extracellular matrix, they are particularly attractive as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The properties of these fibers are governed by both material composition and processing parameters: polymer–solvent interactions control solution behavior, while electrospinning system configuration and environmental conditions strongly affect fiber formation.
In this study, two key aspects relevant to biomedical electrospun fiber production are investigated. First, two and three dimensional electric field simulations are conducted in QuickField to model various needle–collector configurations. Analysis of the resulting field distributions reveals how collector geometry and system design influence fiber alignment, deposition uniformity, and collection efficiency, providing guidance for optimizing electrospinning setups.
Second, the effects of material composition and post processing on cellulose acetate (CA)–based electrospun fibers are examined. Morphological changes induced by varying calcium chloride (CaCl₂) concentrations are quantified using scanning electron microscopy, allowing evaluation of the role of ionic additives on fiber diameter and overall structure [1]. In addition, fibers are deacetylated to cellulose, and their mechanical performance and degradation behavior are assessed to determine how this chemical transformation affects structural stability and suitability for biomedical use.
Overall, this combined computational and experimental approach uncovers how electric field design and material modifications govern the properties of electrospun cellulose based fibrous networks, supporting their rational optimization for medical and tissue engineering applications.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Research, Development, and Innovation Office FK137749, TKP 2021-EGA-23
References
[1]: Juhasz, Akos Gyorgy, Kristof Molnar, 2020. ‘Salt Induced Fluffy Structured Electrospun Fibrous Matrix’. Journal of Molecular Liquids 312 (August):113478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.113478.