Mitsuhiro Terakawa

Biodegradable polymers have attracted increasing attention in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems owing to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability. Among the various methods for shape forming and modification of biodegradable polymers, laser processing has advantages in a dry processing approach that can process complex-shaped surfaces without using toxic chemical components. This review provides an overview of femtosecond laser processing of biodegradable polymers, especially

Plasmid DNA has been successfully delivered to mammalian cells by applying a nanosecond pulsed laser-induced stress wave (LISW). Cells exposed to a LISW were selectively transfected with plasmids coding for green fluorescent protein. It was also shown that transient, mild cellular heating (approximately 43 degrees C) was effective in improving the transfection efficiency.

Laser-mediated gene transfection has received much attention as a new method for targeted gene therapy because of the high spatial controllability of laser energy. We previously demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro that plasmid DNA can be transfected by applying nanosecond pulsed laser-induced stress waves (LISWs). In the present study, we investigated the dependence of transfection efficiency on the laser irradiation conditions and hence stress wave conditions in vitro. We measured characteri

Laser graphitization allows for the spatially targeted modification of biomasses into electrically conductive structures and is a promising technique for the development of sustainable electronic devices. Out of the many biomasses, cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a sustainable biomass which exhibits unique properties, such as mechanical strength and optical transparency. In this study, we demonstrated the fabrication of highly conductive graphitic carbon from CNFs using a high-repetition femtosecon

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate femtosecond laser direct writing of conductive structures on the surface of native polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Irradiation of femtosecond laser pulses modified the PDMS to black structures, which exhibit electrical conductivity. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the black structures were composed of β-silicon carbide (β-SiC), which can be attributed to the pyrolysis of the PDMS. The electrical conductivit

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), numerous electronic devices are expected to be installed in the natural environment. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can be reliable devices providing on-site, clean, and sustainable power generation in nature. The fabrication of metal-free, biodegradable TENGs will reduce the environmental burden and disposal cost after usage. In this study, we demonstrate the direct fabrication of conductive graphitic carbon on a biodegradable po

The fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) metal microstructures in a synthetic polymer-based hydrogel is demonstrated by femtosecond laser-induced photoreduction. The linear-shaped silver structure of approximately 2 micrometers in diameter is fabricated inside a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel. The silver structure is observed and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Shrinking and

Treatment to increase secretion of growth factors related to angiogenesis by gene transfection is a promising therapeutic solution for improving the outcome of tissue transplantation. We attempted to deliver a therapeutic vector construct carrying the human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene to skin grafts of rats using laser-induced stress waves (LISWs), with the objective of enhancing their adhesion. First we delivered the hHGF gene to rat native skin in vivo to determine the optimum gene tr

We demonstrate the permeabilization of cell membranes by an enhanced optical field generated under polystyrene microspheres of 1000 nm diameter excited by a femtosecond laser pulse. Fluorescent molecules and short interfering RNA (siRNA) have been successfully delivered to many cells in the irradiated area by a single 80 fs laser pulse at 800 nm wavelength in the presence of antibody-conjugated polystyrene spheres. The ratios of the cells showing permeabilization were 38% and 21% for Fluorescein

The integration of metal microstructures and soft materials is promising for the realization of novel optical and biomedical devices owing to the flexibility and biocompatibility of the latter. Nevertheless, the fabrication of three-dimensional metal structures within a soft material is still challenging. In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of a silver diffraction grating inside a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel by using a 522-nm femtosecond laser via mu

Utilizing renewable resources for electrodes realizes the sustainable fabrication of a supercapacitor with high environmental friendliness. Laser-based graphitization of biomass has been emerging as a promising technique for patterning the electrodes of a supercapacitor with renewable resources. Herein, simultaneous patterning and microstructuring of laser-induced graphene (LIG) on a renewable biomass resource, bamboo, by a laser-based graphitization technique was demonstrated. By irradiating fe

Abstract Hydrogels have emerged as promising supporting materials for wearable or implantable electronic devices, owing to their high biocompatibility. Among the many techniques for patterning conductive structures on supporting materials, laser‐based graphitization allows the simultaneous synthesis and patterning of conductive structures. Here, it has been demonstrated for the first time, the direct patterning of conductive structures on hydrogels by laser‐based graphitization, and the applicat