Abstract: Nano/micro-fabrication is remarkably effective for tailoring materials with desirable functionalities. Our recent work has shown that surface nanofabrication can effectively alter virus adhesion. These effects were ascribed to the presence of nanoholes, which were inaccessible to the virions due to the unique surface topographical parameters and the surface chemistry. Smart design of a surface’s chemical composition and nanostructure is anticipated to offer a feasible solution to improve mitigations for controlling viral adhesion and transmission to and from food contact surfaces. We also fabricated CNT incorporated biocomposite fibers by electrospinning. It was found that the addition of a minute amount of CNT effectively improved protein fiber alignment and mechanical strength while retained high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and decreased fiber diameter, mimicking native collagen fibers in the matrix of connective tissues. It also granted the fibers electrical conductivity. Our in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the biocomposite fibers effectively mediated electrical stimulation of fibroblasts from patients with chronic wounds or connective tissue disorder, favorable for tissue repair. The developed material and method offer a simple, direct, and effective way to remedy the patients’ dysfunctional cells for personalized cell therapeutic treatment.

Bio: Rong R. Wang is a professor of chemistry and director of International Center for Sensor Science and Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology. She received her B.S degree in Physics from Jilin University and received her PhD in Chemistry from University of Tokyo.