Porous micro-engineering techniques

We have also provided evidence that the behavior of microorganisms in confined micro-environment is substantially different and that their desired metabolic activities can be maximized through the modification of the surface characteristics as well as the size of the pores. These characteristics can therefore be utilized in BI as well as in the enhancement of cell penetration and cell proliferation in tissue engineering and when such polymers are grafted. Micro-fabrication technique has also been used in the development of highly porous catalysts with arterial channels feeding nano-pores which provide an extended surface area. Such materials can be used as micro-reactors as well as catalysts. 

In this study, after a brief introduction to PI we provide the bases of a technique for the preparation of polymeric micro-porous materials, known as polyHIPE polymers (PHPs) which are now used extensively in PIM, and micro-reactor technology. These polymers are prepared through the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) polymerization route. In order to control the pore size, the flow-induced phase inversion phenomenon is applied to the emulsification technique. The metalization of these polymers and formation of nano-structured micro-porous metals for intensified catalysis are also discussed. Finally, we illustrate the applications of these materials in chemical- and bioprocess intensifications and tissue engineering while examining the existence of several size-dependent phenomena. 

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