This week we presented our methodology of our alginate-chitosan layered capsule as a PowerPoint presentation. Calcium alginate beads will be created from dripping sodium alginate into calcium chloride solution. Therapeutics will be encapsulated into the beads via rotary die or mixing. Chitosan will be coated on the calcium alginate beads using the Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Method (PEM). Essentially, the beads will be quickly dipped into chitosan solution and washed, forming a thin film of polyelectrolyte complex.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Week 2: 4/8 - 4/14
Upon discussing the proposal with Professor Cheng, it was learned that our idea was not ideal and there were some flaws in our thought process. Since then, new ideas have been researched as well as progress into our itemization and supplies planning.
For the actual proposal update, a new idea has been considered. IN this case, alginate and chitosan cannot mix as they could form a precipitation. Aligatin is negatively charged and chitosan is positively charged. So, a neutral film will be used, that is biodegradable. This neutral film will not interact with either of the two while separating them. In this manner, both will dissolve.
For the presentation, the slide breakdown is as follows:
1st - Problem/Method
2nd - Design
3rd/4th - Achieve/how?
5th - Backup Plan
For the actual proposal update, a new idea has been considered. IN this case, alginate and chitosan cannot mix as they could form a precipitation. Aligatin is negatively charged and chitosan is positively charged. So, a neutral film will be used, that is biodegradable. This neutral film will not interact with either of the two while separating them. In this manner, both will dissolve.
For the presentation, the slide breakdown is as follows:
1st - Problem/Method
2nd - Design
3rd/4th - Achieve/how?
5th - Backup Plan
Friday, April 1, 2016
Week 1: 4/1 - 4/7
This week, the members of Group 06 submitted a proposal "Sustained Therapeutic Release from Alginate-Chitosan Hydrogel" that aimed at delivering controlled systematic therapeutic release through physical modification of the compound. The goals intended were to produce an encapsulated version of alginate hydrogel for sustained release and create an exterior control system. The final product is designed to produce an alginate-chitosan cross-linked hydrogel used to encapsulate and release therapeutics, as hydrogels dissociate in acidic environments and near mucous membranes. These environments allow the hydrogels to transport therapeutics to pinpoint locations in the body. As of now, the only ingredients needed are the reagents, alginate, and possibly an encapsulation device.