Abadi Lab

In our 2021 paper published in Additive Manufacturing, we report fabrication of conductive epoxy-nanoclay-CNT nanocomposite structures by direct-write 3D printing. In this process, 3D-printable composite inks were synthesized by incorporation of nanoclay and different concentrations of CNTs – 0.25, 0.5, and 1 vol%, 0.43, 0.86, and 1.7 wt% – in epoxy. CNTs were found to significantly improve the electrical and mechanical properties. Rheological characterization of the inks revealed a shear-thinning behavior for all the nanocomposite inks and an increase in the complex viscosity, storage, and loss moduli with the incorporation of CNTs. The CNT concentration of 0.5 vol% was found to be the optimum condition for enhancement of mechanical properties. The findings show the promise of this ink material and printing method for various applications such as aerospace structures and electronics. Read the news about our article and group research in 3D Nano-inks Push Industry Boundaries, Eurekalert.org, phys.org

Persisting in the Name of Passion
How Parisa Abadi Went From Mechanical Engineering to Heart Repair
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In our 2019 paper published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces and highlighted on the cover, we report fabrication of biocompatible, electrically conductive and tough microfibers made of hyaluronic acid and single-walled carbon nanotubes by a wet spinning method. The microfibers presented excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical properties and stable actuation behavior in biological medium. In vitro cytocompatibility and in vivo biocompatibility experiments in mice were carried out, and showed that the fabricated microactuators are applicable in biomedical areas. Overall, the microfibers and bundles made with weaving the fibers exhibit excellent mechanical properties, stable electrical conductivity, good electrochemical and actuation behavior and, hence, prove to be promising materials for implantable microactuators and flexible electronic devices in biomedical applications.

Immaturity of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells is an important issue in the field of cell therapeutics. In our 2018 paper published in Advanced Functional Materials and highlighted on the cover, we develop substrates with multi-scale topography resembling the three-dimensional features of the native heart environment to address the issue of immaturity of cardiomyocytes. The results show faster differentiation, enhanced maturity, and improved beating. Read the news about our article and group research in Michigan Tech News, Science Daily, Medical Xpress, News Medical, Technology Network, Bioengineer.org, Science Newsline, Medindia, Drugnews.in, and Medicalnewser.com.