Tiny Bubbles: Composite Cocktails For Medical Applications

Tiny bubbles or glass microspheres/microcapsules are used in our society today in many ways. The microspheres can be solid or hollow and represent particles that are generally in the range of 0.1-100µm. Solid and hollow microspheres have significantly different densities, properties, and capabilities and are commercially available. Special morphologies, formulations and compositions can also be achieved by a variety of techniques in the laboratory. One of the most interesting morphologies of these tiny bubbles, are porous wall hollow glass microspheres, which are glass micro-balloons in which through-wall porosity was induced in the thin outer shells and controlled, on a scale of 10-100nm. This unique porosity can be used to fill the microspheres with a variety of cargos of various contents that can later be released on demand. For medical applications, an interdisciplinary team investigated these tiny bubbles, as part of a new series of composites or medical cocktails. The microspheres are key components in the composites and can be used alone or mixed in various amounts and ratios, with a variety of contents, outer coatings and/or biocompatible matrices, resulting in a wide range of medical cocktails designed and tailored for various applications.

Author
G G Wicks Et Al
Origin
Wicks Consulting, S Carolina, Usa
Journal Title
Int J Appl Glass Sci 7 2 2016 164-172
Sector
Special Glass
Class
S 4249

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Tiny Bubbles: Composite Cocktails For Medical Applications
Int J Appl Glass Sci 7 2 2016 164-172
S 4249
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