Les fibres d'acide polylactique (PLA), issues de ressources agricoles renouvelables, ont suscité à leur apparition un grand intérêt car il s'agit de fibres ayant les avantages des fibres synthétiques. Or très vite des inconvénients sont apparus en particulier lors de leur teinture : elles se saturent très facilement conduisant a des nuances pastel et les solidités aux lavages des teintures sont médiocres. Nous avons vérifié que la cristallinité des fibres de PLA est du même ordre de grandeur que celle du polyester classique (55- au pire 60%). Par contre les traitements aqueux type teinture font croître cette cristallinité, peut-être par hydrolyse des zones amorphes. Mais la teinture est très rapide, ce qui signifierait que les zones amorphes sont à peine orientées ce qui est confirmé par RX (un fond continu vraiment plat) et de ce fait elles ne retiennent pas le colorant. Les isothermes d'adsorption montrent également qu'il n'y a pas d'adsorption mais « solution » puisqu'elles sont de type Nernst et que la fixation de colorant décroît avec la croissance de la température. En plus, à chaque traitement aqueux de la fibre est hydrolysée ce qui entraîne une perte de colorant et une réduction lente des propriétés mécaniques de la fibre. Ce dernier phénomène étant relativement long d'où nous avons formulé une hypothèse que l'hydrolyse des bouts de chaine serait plus rapide que celle des milieux de chaine. / The fibers of poly (lactic acid) (PLA), derived from annually renewable agricultural resources, had a great potential when they were first introduced into the market as they have the advantages of synthetic fibers, as well as they are biodegradable. Some current challenges and limitations associated with these new fibers have constrained their popularity, especially when they were dyed. They easily become saturated leading to pastel shades and their washfastness is poor. We verified that the crystallinity of PLA fibers is comparable to that of conventional polyester (55 - 60% at worst). However, this crystallinity has increased during the wet treatment, especially dyeing, which may be due to the hydrolysis of amorphous regions. Rapid stricke of the dye means that the amorphous regions are barely oriented (hence X-ray background intensity is really flat) and they do not retain the dye molecules.The adsorption isotherms also show that there is no adsorption but it is a "solution" as they are of the Nernst type and the dye fixation decreases with increasing temperature. But each wet treatment leads to a fiber hydrolysis which causes a loss of dye and a slow loss of mechanical properties of the fiber. The latter phenomenon is relatively long leading to a hypothesis that the hydrolysis by side-group elimination would be faster than the degradation of weak points in the macromolecular polymer chains.

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) are often secluded from society, as the condition is perceived to be a defect. These children constantly fidget, move, lose track of time, and forget to complete tasks, leading them to struggle within existing social environments. Additionally, in Qatar there is a need to educate society about ADHD. This research explores wearable solutions that alter behaviors through physical interactions and sensory engagements. In response to the challenges faced by ADHD, Qatari traditional attire has been customized to support children with time management, and communication between child, parent, and society. Additionally, these wearables challenge Qatari perspectives surrounding existing health conditions in Qatar. Design outcomes consists of clothing elements, driven and shaped by the experiences of ADHD children, their physical behavior, their senses like touch, smell and sight. It addresses the daily conduct of the ADHD child, and the relationship of the child and parent. By challenging existing norms and analyzing the Qatari traditional clothing (the Thobe, the Abaya and the Prayer Bead), design outcomes have been realized by experimenting and playing with materials, prototyping and 3D printing on fabric. Existing functions of zippers, pockets, beads, cuffs and technical construction of the outfit have been redesigned and reconstructed.

We studied PLA-microcrystalline cellulose composites, focusing on the effects of processing, particle size and surface modification. The thermal and mechanical properties of these PLA based composites were studied and the effect of cellulose addition on PLA degradation was analyzed. For our system, the degradation rate was found to depend on initial sample crystallinity, pH of the degradation media and cellulose content of the composite. Composites were prepared using solution processing and melt mixing methods. The processing methods influenced the polymer's ability to crystallize affecting the mechanical properties. Isothermal crystallization studies carried out to study the kinetics of crystallization showed melt processed samples to have lower half time for crystallization and higher value for the Avrami exponent. The crystallization rate of PLA was also found to depend on surface chemical composition of cellulose particles and the particle size. Influence of filler surface modification on the composite properties was studied via grafting of lactic acid and polylactic acid to cellulose particles and the effect of filler size was studied using hydrolyzed microcrystalline cellulose particles. A simple esterification reaction that required no external catalyst was used for surface modification of cellulose particles. Surface modification of cellulose particles enhanced the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the composite samples due to improvement in the PLA-cellulose compatibility that resulted in better interfacial interactions. The utility of cellulose, available from a renewable resource, as an effective reinforcement for PLA is demonstrated.

Embalagens de plástico expandido são utilizados como embalagens de alimentos, entre eles o poliestireno expandido (EPS). Suas principais características são a leveza e sua não biodegradabilidade. Estas embalagens geralmente são descartadas logo após o uso e geram grandes quantidades de resíduos. Espumas feitas a base de amido termoplástico (TPS) podem substituir o EPS nestes casos, pois são feitas a partir de fontes renováveis e são materiais biodegradáveis. Entretanto, embalagens de espuma TPS possuem grande afinidade pela água e isso consequentemente afeta seu uso. Uma forma de resolver este problema é recobrir estas espumas TPS com um material mais hidrofóbico, dificultando o contato da água com o amido. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver espumas de TPS de diferentes amidos e revesti-las com quitosana e poliácido láctico (PLA), pois também são materiais biodegradáveis e são menos hidrofílicos do que o amido. Três fontes de amido (batata, mandioca e milho) foram analisadas conjuntamente para produzir espumas TPS com propriedades mais desejáveis para embalagens. As espumas foram produzidas a partir de amido, glicerol e água nas proporções mássicas de 62/5/33, respectivamente. Dentre os tipos de amido escolhidos, a espuma TPS de milho mostrou ser mais densa e rígida, apresentando maior densidade e maior módulo elástico (0,20 g/cm3 e 106 MPa, respectivamente) em comparação com espumas TPS de batata (0,11 g/cm3 e 39 MPa) e mandioca (0,10 g/cm3 e 39 MPa). A espuma TPS de batata apresentou maior flexibilidade e resistência ao impacto, e devido a estas vantagens é a mais adequada ao uso em embalagens. Os recobrimentos de quitosana e PLA diminuíram a absorção de água da espuma TPS. Enquanto que a espuma sem recobrimento absorveu aproximadamente 280% do seu peso em água, espumas TPS com 6% m/v de quitosana absorveram 100% e espumas TPS com 6% m/v de PLA absorveram 50% em média. O PLA mostrou ser a melhor opção de recobrimento para as espumas pois apresentou os menores valores de absorção de água e aumentou as propriedades mecânicas da espuma. / The expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used in a variety of food packaging, mainly in packages whose characteristics is the single use. These packages are usually discarded soon and generate large amounts of waste. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) foams can replace the EPS in these cases, because it comes from renewable and biodegradable sources. However, starch packaging has great affinity for water and it affects its use. One way to solve this problem is to cover the TPS foam with a more hydrophobic material, hindering the contact of water with starch. In this work, chitosan and polylactic acid (PLA) were used as coatings, as they are also biodegradable materials and are more hydrophobic than starch. Three sources of starch (potato, cassava and corn) were analyzed conjointly to produce TPS foams with more desirable properties for packaging. The foams were made from starch, glycerol and water in the proportion of 62/5/33 (% m/m) respectively. Among the starch types used, corn TPS foam presented higher density and higher stiffness (0,20 g/cm3 and 106 MPa, respectively) compared to potato (0,11 g/cm3 and 39 MPa) and cassava (0,10 g/cm3 e 39 MPa) TPS foams. The potato TPS foam showed greater flexibility and impact resistance, and due to these advantages is the most suitable for use in packaging. The chitosan and PLA coatings decreased the water absorption of the TPS foam. While the uncoated TPS foam absorbed approximately 280% of its weight in water, TPS foams with 6% w/v chitosan absorbed 100% and TPS foams with 6% m / v PLA absorbed 50% on average. The PLA was found to be the best option for coating the TPS foams because presented the lowest water absorption values and increased the mechanical properties of the foams.

Embalagens de plástico expandido são utilizados como embalagens de alimentos, entre eles o poliestireno expandido (EPS). Suas principais características são a leveza e sua não biodegradabilidade. Estas embalagens geralmente são descartadas logo após o uso e geram grandes quantidades de resíduos. Espumas feitas a base de amido termoplástico (TPS) podem substituir o EPS nestes casos, pois são feitas a partir de fontes renováveis e são materiais biodegradáveis. Entretanto, embalagens de espuma TPS possuem grande afinidade pela água e isso consequentemente afeta seu uso. Uma forma de resolver este problema é recobrir estas espumas TPS com um material mais hidrofóbico, dificultando o contato da água com o amido. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver espumas de TPS de diferentes amidos e revesti-las com quitosana e poliácido láctico (PLA), pois também são materiais biodegradáveis e são menos hidrofílicos do que o amido. Três fontes de amido (batata, mandioca e milho) foram analisadas conjuntamente para produzir espumas TPS com propriedades mais desejáveis para embalagens. As espumas foram produzidas a partir de amido, glicerol e água nas proporções mássicas de 62/5/33, respectivamente. Dentre os tipos de amido escolhidos, a espuma TPS de milho mostrou ser mais densa e rígida, apresentando maior densidade e maior módulo elástico (0,20 g/cm3 e 106 MPa, respectivamente) em comparação com espumas TPS de batata (0,11 g/cm3 e 39 MPa) e mandioca (0,10 g/cm3 e 39 MPa). A espuma TPS de batata apresentou maior flexibilidade e resistência ao impacto, e devido a estas vantagens é a mais adequada ao uso em embalagens. Os recobrimentos de quitosana e PLA diminuíram a absorção de água da espuma TPS. Enquanto que a espuma sem recobrimento absorveu aproximadamente 280% do seu peso em água, espumas TPS com 6% m/v de quitosana absorveram 100% e espumas TPS com 6% m/v de PLA absorveram 50% em média. O PLA mostrou ser a melhor opção de recobrimento para as espumas pois apresentou os menores valores de absorção de água e aumentou as propriedades mecânicas da espuma. / The expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used in a variety of food packaging, mainly in packages whose characteristics is the single use. These packages are usually discarded soon and generate large amounts of waste. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) foams can replace the EPS in these cases, because it comes from renewable and biodegradable sources. However, starch packaging has great affinity for water and it affects its use. One way to solve this problem is to cover the TPS foam with a more hydrophobic material, hindering the contact of water with starch. In this work, chitosan and polylactic acid (PLA) were used as coatings, as they are also biodegradable materials and are more hydrophobic than starch. Three sources of starch (potato, cassava and corn) were analyzed conjointly to produce TPS foams with more desirable properties for packaging. The foams were made from starch, glycerol and water in the proportion of 62/5/33 (% m/m) respectively. Among the starch types used, corn TPS foam presented higher density and higher stiffness (0,20 g/cm3 and 106 MPa, respectively) compared to potato (0,11 g/cm3 and 39 MPa) and cassava (0,10 g/cm3 e 39 MPa) TPS foams. The potato TPS foam showed greater flexibility and impact resistance, and due to these advantages is the most suitable for use in packaging. The chitosan and PLA coatings decreased the water absorption of the TPS foam. While the uncoated TPS foam absorbed approximately 280% of its weight in water, TPS foams with 6% w/v chitosan absorbed 100% and TPS foams with 6% m / v PLA absorbed 50% on average. The PLA was found to be the best option for coating the TPS foams because presented the lowest water absorption values and increased the mechanical properties of the foams.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-05-15T11:16:07Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Stéfany Mayara Ferreira de Rezende - 2018.pdf: 31211798 bytes, checksum: d3b61dc015a1246e10bf60722a5f9520 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-05-15T12:25:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Stéfany Mayara Ferreira de Rezende - 2018.pdf: 31211798 bytes, checksum: d3b61dc015a1246e10bf60722a5f9520 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-15T12:25:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Stéfany Mayara Ferreira de Rezende - 2018.pdf: 31211798 bytes, checksum: d3b61dc015a1246e10bf60722a5f9520 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-02 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / There are several techniques used for the manufacture of three-dimensional models, but due to their ease of use, material extrusion has been widely applied in specific areas, since such as engineering as personal use. Such factors indicate that in the coming years many of the everyday plastic products commonly produced by conventional methods will be replaced by home printed objects in order to minimize costs and customization. Thus, knowing the influence of the process parameters is fundamental for the good performance of the products made by this technology. Thus, this work is dedicated to the study of the mechanical properties of parts constructed by material extrusion and the influence of parameters of the material and the printing process on the final characteristics of the produced object. A brief review of the literature is carried out in order to know the mechanical properties already identified and which methods are most used. It has been identified that the mechanical properties of the printed pieces are significantly affected by the printing orientation and airgap parameters. An experimental approach is used, aiming to evaluate the influence of parameters, shape and fill percentage, on the mechanical strength of the made objects. In addition, an initial and introductory study was carried out in order to analyze the functional characteristics of a prosthesis made by additive manufacture. The accomplishment of the same, aims to identify the limitations of the device and to provide future improvements. / Diversas são as técnicas utilizadas para a manufatura de modelos tridimensionais, contudo em virtude de sua facilidade de uso, a impressão 3D por extrusão de material tem sido largamente empregada, desde em áreas específicas como medicina como para uso pessoal. Tais fatores indicam, que nos próximos anos, muitos dos produtos plásticos de uso cotidiano, comumente produzidos por métodos convencionais, serão substituídos por objetos impressos em casa, tendo em vista a minimização de custos e a customização. Voltando-se para a ampliação da aplicabilidade da impressão 3D em engenharia, é fundamental conhecer a influência dos parâmetros de processo de modo a assegurar o bom desempenho dos produtos confeccionados por esta tecnologia. Dessa forma, este trabalho dedica-se ao estudo das propriedades mecânicas de peças construídas por extrusão de material e a influência de parâmetros do material e do processo de impressão, nas características finais do objeto produzido. Uma breve revisão da literatura é realizada visando conhecer as propriedades mecânicas identificadas e quais os métodos mais empregados. Foi identificado que a orientação de impressão e o entretramas afetam relevantemente as propriedades mecânicas da peça impressa. Por outro lado, uma abordagem experimental também é utilizada objetivando avaliar a influência dos parâmetros, forma e porcentagem de preenchimento, na resistência mecânica dos objetos confeccionados. Além disso, foi efetuado um estudo inicial e introdutório tendo em vista analisar as características funcionais de uma prótese de mão confeccionada por manufatura aditiva. A realização do mesmo, visa identificar as limitações do dispositivo e propiciar melhorias futuras. Additive Manufacturing

The purpose of the work is the determination of flexural properties for thebiocomposite Durapulp. The study includes laborative tests on Durapulp andreference materials, commonly used in the building sector. Stiffness and strength of Durapulp show that it has the potential as a replacement for conventional wood-based materials.

The essence of the work is to test the possibilities specific type of simple 3D printing device, which has recently been getting more and more into the awareness of professionals and the general public. First, the work is focused on presentation 3D printing technology and current professional equipment, in the second part are experimentally evaluated possibilities of of a simple kind of 3D printers followed by assessment of the applicability of the device in engineering practice.

Le ligand phénoxy-imine était préparés par condensation de para-formaldéhyde, 4-(tert-butyl)- 2-tritylphénol et di-(2-picolyl)amine. LZnN(SiMe 3 ) 2 était préparé par la réaction de Zn(N(SiMe 3 ) 2 ) 2 avec le ligand. Le complexe était étudié par diffraction de rayons X et par RMN. L’utilisation de ce complexe dans la polymérisation du rac-lactide amène à un acide polylactique atactique parun mécanisme de contrôle par la fin de la chaine, transféré par le site catalytique. Des ligands pyridyle -aminophénol étaient préparé à partir du phénol (2,4-di-tert-butylphénol, 2,4-di-chlorophénol, 2,4-di-méthylphénol), pyridine-2-ylméthylamine et formaldéhyde (LH 2 = (2,4-X 2 C 6 (OH)H 2 (5-CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 2 C 5 H 4 N), X = Me ou Cl). Réaction de Zr(OnPr) 4 avec 2 équiv de LH 2 a fourni L 2 Zr. L 2 Zr était un mélange des isomères avec une symétrie C 2 . Ceci était conformé par RMN, DFT et diffraction de rayons X. La seule isomère pour X=Me était l’isomère cis. Pour X=Cl, l’isomère majeur était l’isomère trans. Tous les complexes étaient actifs pour la polymérisation du rac-lactide à 140 °C et un acide polylactique atactique était obtenu. L 2 Zr a suivi un mécanisme du monomère activé avec l’alcool benzylique comme co-initiateur. / The phenoxy-imine ligand bearing heteroatom-containing N and O were prepared from condensation of paraformaldehyde, 4-(tert-butyl)-2-tritylphenol with di-(2-picolyl)amine. LZnN(SiMe3)2 was prepared by reaction of Zn(N(SiMe3)2)2 and the ligand. The complex has been studied by X-ray diffraction and NMR. Application of this complex in rac-lactide polymerization gave atactic PLA via a catalytic-site mediated chain-end control mechanism. Pyridylaminophenol ligands were prepared from phenol (2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-di-cholorolphenol, 2,4-di-methylphenol), pyridine-2-ylmethylamine and formaldehyde (LH2 = (2,4-X2C6(OH)H2(5-CH2)2N(CH2C5H4N), X = Me or Cl). Reaction of Zr(OnPr)4 with 2 equiv of LH2 gave L2Zr. L2Zr were mixtures of C2-symmetric isomers, which was confirmed by NMR, DFT and X-ray diffraction studies. The only isomer for X=Me was the cis-isomer while the major isomer for X=Cl was the trans-isomer. All complex were active in rac-lactide polymerization at 140 °C and heterotactic PLA was obtained. L2Zr followed an activated monomer mechanism with benzyl alcohol as co-initiator.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Actualmente las lesiones del sistema nervioso periférico que conllevan una pérdida de continuidad de los haces axonales suelen implicar secuelas de tipo permanente. Es cierto que en el sistema nervioso periférico existe una cierta regeneración natural de los tractos axonales dañados, pero solamente cuando el espacio entre ambos extremos de la lesión es pequeño, como máximo de 5 mm. Si el espacio es mayor que esta distancia la regeneración no sucede de forma natural y se crea un neuroma traumático. Por tanto, estas lesiones largas requieren de una intervención quirúrgica para puentear la lesión, normalmente con un nervio autógrafo del propio paciente o un nervio alógrafo de un cadáver. No obstante, su uso presenta diversos inconvenientes, como la morbilidad del sitio donante donde puede ocurrir un neuroma, la necesidad de realizar una segunda cirugía, la diferencia de tamaño entre nervio receptor y donante o la necesidad de inmunosupresión en el caso de los nervios alógrafos. Por ello, la ingeniería de tejidos trabaja en el desarrollo de los conductos de guiado nervioso que incorporan estrategias para guiar topográficamente la regeneración, así como células y moléculas bioactivas. La presente tesis doctoral presenta un nuevo conducto de guiado nervioso con una aproximación multimodular para su aplicación en la regeneración de lesiones nerviosas largas (a partir de 15 mm) que hace uso de conductos tubulares huecos modulares de ácido hialurónico (HA) que contienen en su interior una estructura tubular de microfibras de ácido poliláctico (PLA). La estructura fibrilar aporta un guiado topográfico necesario para guiar el crecimiento axonal durante la regeneración a la vez que mantiene unidos los diferentes módulos de HA. Por su parte, los conductos de HA son un hidrogel que evita adherencias con el tejido circundante. A su vez, proporcionan un soporte sobre el que pueden crecer células presembradas. En concreto se ha optado por presembrar células de Schwann, las cuales son unas células gliales de soporte críticas para la regeneración del sistema nervioso periférico. Se ha observado que dichas células son capaces recubrir por completo las paredes internas de los conductos de HA formando una estructura tipo vaina, así como de recubrir las microfibras de PLA creciendo en dirección longitudinal. Los experimentos in vivo en modelo de nervio ciático de conejo han mostrado que la aproximación multimodular mejora significativamente la regeneración nerviosa gracias a proporcionar una mejor neovascularización. A su vez, gracias a las células de Schwann presembradas se ha logrado una mejora adicional de la regeneración nerviosa gracias a su efecto favorecedor del crecimiento axonal. Además, se han estudiado diferentes mejoras aplicables al conducto de guiado nervioso con el objetivo de mejorar los resultados obtenidos in vivo. Gracias a la incorporación de fibroína de seda a los conductos de HA se ha logrado mejorar sus propiedades mecánicas y biológicas. Asimismo, también se ha desarrollado un sustrato electroconductor de microfibras de PLA recubiertas con el polímero electroconductor Polipirrol gracias al cual se ha observado in vitro que es capaz de mejorar el crecimiento axonal al aplicar una estimulación eléctrica. Además, mediante un sistema de modificación génica de las células de Schwann por electrotransfección se ha logrado aumentar su secreción del factor neurotrófico derivado del cerebro (BDNF), gracias a lo cual se ha observado que se incrementa la velocidad de crecimiento axonal in vitro. / [CA] Actualment les lesions del sistema nerviós perifèric que comporten una pèrdua de continuïtat dels feixos axonals solen implicar seqüeles de tipus permanent. És cert que al sistema nerviós perifèric hi ha una certa regeneració natural dels tractes axonals danyats, però només quan l'espai entre ambdós extrems de la lesió és petit, com a màxim de 5 mm. Si l'espai és més gran que aquesta distància la regeneració no succeeix de manera natural i es crea un neuroma traumàtic. Per tant, aquestes lesions llargues requereixen una intervenció quirúrgica per pontejar la lesió, normalment amb un nervi autògraf del pacient o un nervi al·lògraf d'un cadàver. No obstant això, el seu ús presenta diversos inconvenients, com la morbilitat del lloc donant on pot ocórrer un neuroma, la necessitat de fer una segona cirurgia, la diferència de mida entre nervi receptor i donant o la necessitat d'immunosupressió en el cas dels nervis al·lògrafs . Per això, l'enginyeria de teixits treballa en el desenvolupament dels conductes de guiatge nerviós que incorporen estratègies per guiar topogràficament la regeneració, així com cèl·lules i molècules bioactives. Aquesta tesi doctoral presenta un nou conducte de guiatge nerviós amb una aproximació multimodular per a la seva aplicació en la regeneració de lesions nervioses llargues (a partir de 15 mm) que fa ús de conductes tubulars buits modulars d'àcid hialurònic (HA) que contenen al seu interior una estructura tubular de microfibres d'àcid polilàctic (PLA). L'estructura fibril·lar aporta un guiatge topogràfic necessari per guiar el creixement axonal durant la regeneració alhora que manté units els diferents mòduls d'HA. Per part seva, els conductes d'HA són un hidrogel que evita adherències amb el teixit circumdant. Alhora, proporcionen un suport sobre el qual poden créixer cèl·lules presembrades. En concret s'ha optat per presembrar cèl·lules de Schwann, les quals són unes cèl·lules glials de suport crítiques per a la regeneració del sistema nerviós perifèric. S'ha observat que aquestes cèl·lules són capaces de recobrir completament les parets internes dels conductes d'HA formant una estructura tipus beina, així com de recobrir les microfibres de PLA creixent en direcció longitudinal. Els experiments in vivo en model de nervi ciàtic de conill han mostrat que l'aproximació multimodular millora significativament la regeneració nerviosa gràcies a proporcionar una millor neovascularització. Alhora, gràcies a les cèl·lules de Schwann presembrades s'ha aconseguit una millora addicional de la regeneració nerviosa gràcies al seu efecte afavoridor del creixement axonal. A més, s'han estudiat diferents millores aplicables al conducte de guiatge nerviós per tal de millorar els resultats obtinguts in vivo. Gràcies a la incorporació de fibroïna de seda als conductes d'HA s'ha aconseguit millorar les seues propietats mecàniques i biològiques. També s'ha desenvolupat un substrat electroconductor de microfibres de PLA recobertes amb el polímer electroconductor Polipirrol gràcies al qual s'ha observat in vitro que és capaç de millorar el creixement axonal quan s'aplica una estimulació elèctrica. A més, mitjançant un sistema de modificació gènica de les cèl·lules de Schwann per electrotransfecció s'ha aconseguit augmentar la secreció del factor neurotròfic derivat del cervell (BDNF), gràcies a la qual cosa s'ha observat que s'incrementa la velocitat de creixement axonal in vitro. / [EN] Currently, lesions of the peripheral nervous system that lead to a loss of continuity of the axonal bundles usually involve permanent sequelae. It is true that in the peripheral nervous system there is some natural regeneration of damaged axonal tracts, but only when the space between the two ends of the lesion is small, at most 5 mm. If the gap is greater than this distance, regeneration does not occur naturally, and a traumatic neuroma is created. Therefore, these long injuries require surgical intervention to bridge the injury, usually with an autograph nerve from the patient or an allograph nerve from a cadaver. However, its use has various drawbacks, such as the morbidity of the donor site where a neuroma can occur, the need to perform a second surgery, the difference in size between the recipient and donor nerves, or the need for immunosuppression in the case of allograft nerves. For this reason, tissue engineering works on the development of nerve guidance conduits that incorporate strategies to topographically guide the regeneration, as well as cells and bioactive molecules. This doctoral thesis presents a new nerve guidance conduit with a multimodular approach for its application in the regeneration of long nerve lesions (from 15 mm) that makes use of modular hollow tubular conduits of hyaluronic acid (HA) that contain in their inside a tubular structure of microfibers of polylactic acid (PLA). The fibrillar structure provides the necessary topographic guidance to guide axonal growth during regeneration while keeping the different HA modules together. For their part, the HA conduits are a hydrogel that prevents adhesions with the surrounding tissue. In turn, they provide a support on which preseeded cells can grow. Specifically, it has been decided to pre-seed Schwann cells, which are glial support cells that are critical for the regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. It has been observed that these cells are capable of completely covering the inner walls of the HA conduits, forming a sheath-like structure, as well as covering the PLA microfibers by growing in a longitudinal direction. In vivo experiments in a rabbit sciatic nerve model have shown that the multimodular approach significantly improves nerve regeneration by providing better neovascularization. In turn, thanks to the pre-seeded Schwann cells, an additional improvement in nerve regeneration has been achieved thanks to its promoting effect on axonal growth. In addition, different improvements applicable to the nerve guidance conduit have been studied with the aim of improving the results obtained in vivo. Thanks to the incorporation of silk fibroin into HA conduits, their mechanical and biological properties have been improved. Likewise, an electroconductive substrate of PLA microfibers coated with the electroconductive polymer Polypyrrole has also been developed, thanks to which it has been observed in vitro that it is capable of improving axonal growth by applying electrical stimulation. In addition, by means of a gene modification system of Schwann cells by electrotransfection, it has been possible to increase their secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thanks to which it has been observed that the speed of axonal growth is increased in vitro. / Agradezco la ayuda de los diferentes proyectos del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad del Gobierno de España que han hecho posible la financiación de esta tesis doctoral: MAT2015-66666-C3-1-R, DPI2015-72863-EXP, AEI RTI2018-095872-B-C21-C22/ERDF y FPU16/01833 del Ministerio de Universidades del Gobierno de España, sin la cual no hubiera podido realizar esta tesis doctoral. / Gisbert Roca, F. (2022). Strategies for Guidance and Electrical and Biological Stimulation in a Neural Regeneration Device [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/189937 / Compendio