Marcin H. Struszczyk

Chitin and chitosan as functional biopolymers for industrial applications

Chitin research and development seems to be under intensive progress during the last years. Attractive properties of chitin and its derivative—chitosan, for example, biological behavior, and development of their applications caused increased interest of scientists and companies. More and more practical development has been applied on the market, mainly in medicine and food. Firstly, this chapter reviews processing, isolation, and purification of chitin/chitosan. Then it discusses applicable forms of chitin and chitosan and chitosan derivatives. The main part of this chapter contains applications of chitin and chitosan in food, medicine, agriculture, bionanotechnology, and cosmetics. Future trends in chitin and its derivatives in medicine are presented and the end of this book includes research conducted within the EPNOE.

Estimation of the performance stability of the newly developed topical haemostatic agents based on the chitosan/alginate fibrids

Designing medical devices requires a wide range of verification steps for estimation of the performance and safety. Designing the research program needs a rational selection of appropriate testing methods (in preclinical and clinical studies) for determination of the risk of potential incompatibilities resulting in adverse events. The significance of the appropriate selection of the testing method is increased in advanced medical devices. The presented research considers the verification of the functional properties of recently developed topical haemostatic agents with the use of the chitosan/alginate fibrids, based on the previously elaborated risk analysis made according to the guidelines of the PN-EN-ISO 14971:2012 and PN-EN ISO 22442-1:2008 standards. The aim of this research was to verify the stability of the performance of the newly developed haemostatic agents during storage. The defined aim of the study arose from the thesis that the appropriate selection of raw materials and a new manner of reprocessing them enabled keeping the usability of the final product for at least two years.

Biological Properties of Low-Toxicity PLGA and PLGA/PHB Fibrous Nanocomposite Implants for Osseous Tissue Regeneration. Part I: Evaluation of Potential Biotoxicity

In response to the demand for new implant materials characterized by high biocompatibility and bioresorption, two prototypes of fibrous nanocomposite implants for osseous tissue regeneration made of a newly developed blend of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and syntheticpoly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate), PLGA/PHB, have been developed and fabricated. Afibre-forming copolymer of glycolide and l-lactide (PLGA) was obtained by a unique method of synthesis carried out in blocksusing Zr(AcAc)4 as an initiator. The prototypes of the implants are composed of three layers of PLGA or PLGA/PHB, nonwoven fabrics with a pore structure designed to provide the best conditions for the cell proliferation. The bioactivity of the proposed implants has been imparted by introducing a hydroxyapatite material and IGF1, a growth factor. The developed prototypes of implants have been subjected to a set of in vitro and in vivobiocompatibility tests: in vitro cytotoxic effect, in vitro genotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Rabbitsshowed no signs of negative reactionafter implantation of the experimental implant prototypes.

Effect of Accelerated Ageing on Ballistic Textiles Modified By Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (PACVD)

The functionalisation of textile products and materials using the low temperature plasma technique is increasingly used in industrial practice, mainly because of the many benefits, often unattainable with the use of other techniques. The study focused on the modification of the composite textile materials - sheets of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres (Dyneema ® SB51) by applying the surface deposition of silicone-like polymer in an environment of low temperature plasma. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the mechanical and physical properties of modified ballistic textiles un der simulated storage conditions in accelerated time. Based on experiences in planning the research on accelerated aging, a test programme was developed for the assessment of changes during the aging process in ballistic fibrous materials under various environmen tal conditions. The process of low temperature plasma modification affected the mechani cal properties of the ballistic composite textile materials during the accelerated ageing using temperature or temperature and humidity. The effect of the modification varied with the mechanical properties investigated.

The surface modification of ballistic textiles using plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD)

This paper describes studies on the surface modification of so-called ballistic materials (materials commonly used to protect the human body against firearms, i.e. fragments or bullets). Two materials, an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite and aramid fabric, were investigated. The surfaces of these fibrous materials were modified using plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) to examine the effects of the modification on the material properties, which are important for designing ballistic protections. Accordingly, both the mechanical strength and water resistance of the modified materials were tested. The results clearly show the impact of the modification on both parameters.

Stability of the Performance and Safety of the Ballistic Body Protections Used in Humanitarian Demining

This paper focused on analysing actual state-of-the-art personal protective equipment (PPE) used in humanitarian demining for the determination of potential gaps to provide improvements to increase the safety and, simultaneously, performance of PPE. The essential requirements and technical standards for PPEs used in humanitarian demining operations were analysed as a basis for gap identification. Furthermore based on the defined gap and risk analysis, the effect of accelerated ageing and simulation of the use of soft ballistic inserts designed with p-aramid woven fabrics was performed. The research provided new inputs for improvements in the standardisation of PPE with respect to performance and safety validation in a laboratory environment. Moreover the gap analysis resulted in strictly identified gap areas for PPE improvement in usability, functionality and safety.

Biological Dressings Based on Natural Polymers

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016; 24, 6(120): 170-174. DOI: 10.5604/12303666.1221753 170 Biological Dressings Based on Natural Polymers *Magdalena Kucharska 1, Kinga Brzoza-Malczewska 1, Maria Wiśniewska-Wrona 1, Beata Pałys 1, Marcin H. Struszczyk 2, Magdalena Cichecka 2, Bożena Wilbik-Hałgas 2, Ewa Karuga-Kuźniewska 3, Danuta Paluch 3, Zbigniew Rybak 3 Abstract The article presents a method for producing a IV generation hemostatic dressing in the form of powder consisted of fibrous, which ensures a high level of security in application. The dressing material was developed on the basis of natural polymers of the polysaccharide group such as chitosan and calcium sodium alginate in the form of microand nanofibrids. The dressing structure, utility properties and biocompatibility (cytotoxicity, irritation and sensitization) were studied.

Hemostatic, Resorbable Dressing of Natural Polymers-Hemoguard

Abstract Investigations are presented for the preparation of a model hemostatic dressing that would exhibit an adequate hemostatic capacity in injuries and surgical wounds, an antibacterial activity to prevent primary and secondary infections, and offer safety in use. The Hemoguard dressing has been designed as a powder prepared from the complex chitosan/alginate Na/Ca in the form of micro- and nano-fibrids. Useful antibacterial and hemostatic properties of Hemoguard, which would qualify the material as first aid dressing and a temporary protection of injury wounds in field conditions, were assessed. Biocompatibility of the dressing was confirmed by biological in vitro examinations.

Structural Changes in Fibrous Ballistic Materials During PACVD Modification

During PACVD Modification. FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2015; 23, 6(114): 102-115. DOI: 10.5604/12303666.1167426 102 Researches focused on improving the adhesion of UHMWPE fibres with resin or low-molecular polyethylene forming the destination matrix of the final ballistic material, inter alia by increasing the surface energy. This enables better and more durable blending of modified fibres with the matrix material [4 12]. The effect of plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD) polymer deposition onto textile ballistic materials on the physicalmechanical behaviour was described in detail in [4, 13]. ,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 The aim of the research was to optimise PACVD modification of two types of unpurified technical textile materials: p-aramid fabric and UHMPWE fibrous materials, to directly obtain a functionalized surface with a highly reproductive deposited polymer.

Thermal stability of the elastomeric anti-trauma pad

Abstract The elastomeric anti-trauma pad (EA-TP) based on shear thickening fluid (STF) has been developed. Dynamic oscillatory shear experiment was conducted at constant strain amplitude of 5%. STF composed of 25% of volume fraction of 7 nm Fumed Silica, dispersed in polypropylene glycol with molar mass 400 gmol−1 shows elastic properties in entire investigated range of the frequency. Ballistic tests of EA-TP with 7.62 mm × 39 mm PS bullets were performed according to the PN-V-87000:2011 standard. The studies revealed about 60% reduction of the average backface signature depth (BSD) for the EA-TP, when compared to the nowadays commonly used soft insert. The ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed slight impact of the elevated temperature and air (oxygen) on the chemical degradation of the EA-TP surface. The UV-VIS spectroscopy has allowed to notice colour deviation of the aged samples towards green and yellow, as well as lack of dye resistance to accelerated aging process. Thermographic analysis has shown no visible changes of the EA-TP surface and sub-surface during accelerated aging process. The aforementioned small changes on the surface of EA-TP did not affect the ballistic properties of composite armour. EA-TP insert maintains ballistic properties after accelerated aging process which was simulating the period of 6 years according to ASTM F1980 – 07:2002 standard.