Nanoscale Surface Topography Research Articles

Ultrascalable Multifunctional Nanoengineered Copper and Aluminum for Antiadhesion and Bactericidal Applications.

Biofouling disrupts the surface functionality and integrity of engineered substrates. A variety of natural materials such as plant leaves and insect wings have evolved sophisticated physical mechanisms capable of preventing biofouling. Over the past decade, several reports have pinpointed nanoscale surface topography as an important regulator of surface adhesion and growth of bacteria. Although artificial nanoengineered features have been used to create bactericidal materials that kill adhered bacteria, functional surfaces capable of synergistically providing antiadhesion and bactericidal properties remain to be developed. Furthermore, fundamental questions pertaining to the need for intrinsic hydrophobicity to achieve bactericidal performance and the role of structure length scale (nano vs micro) are still being explored. Here, we demonstrate highly scalable, cost-effective, and efficient nanoengineered multifunctional surfaces that possess both antiadhesion and bactericidal properties on industrially relevant copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) substrates. We characterize antiadhesion and bactericidal performance using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), live/dead bacterial staining and imaging, as well as solution-phase and Petrifilm measurements of bacterial viability. Our results showed that nanostructures created on both Cu and Al were capable of physical deformation of adhered Escherichia coli bacteria. Bacterial viability measurements on both Cu and Al indicated a complex interaction between the antiadhesion and bactericidal nature of these materials and their surface topography, chemistry, and structure. Increased superhydrophobicity greatly decreased bacterial adhesion while not significantly influencing surface bactericidal performance. Furthermore, we observed that more densely packed nanoscale structures improved antiadhesion properties when compared to larger features, even over extended time scales of up to 24 h. Our data suggests that the superhydrophobic Al substrate possesses superior antiadhesion and bactericidal effects, even over long time courses. The techniques and insights presented here will inform future work on antiadhesion and bactericidal multifunctional surfaces and enable their rational design.

Injection Molding of Superhydrophobic Submicrometer Surface Topography on Macroscopically Curved Objects: Experimental and Simulation Studies

Micro- and nanoscale surface topographies that give rise to superhydrophobic surfaces have been achieved mostly on 2-dimensional planar objects. Increasing interests in superhydrophobic surfaces on consumer products, optics, and biomedical devices demand topographic patterning on free-form nonplanar surfaces via a high throughput manufacturing process such as injection molding. However, successes in high-resolution (submicrometer) injection molding have been limited to flat and planar objects. A challenge associated with achieving submicrometer surface resolution on a 3-dimensional curved object lies in the control of the replication process in a multiscale mold cavity and the nonuniform temperature and pressure distribution over a macroscopically curved mold insert. Here, a two-step simulation approach is employed to investigate the replication of polymer in the macroscopic and submicrometer cavities. Both simulation and experimental data revealed the effects of holding pressure, mold temperature, and ma...

Tailoring Nanoscale Surface Topography of Hydrogel for Efficient Solar Vapor Generation.

Solar vapor generation, which can separate the soluble or dispersing contaminants from water, is particularly desirable owing to its green energy utilization for water purification technology. Here, we present a concept of enhancing solar vapor generation by tailoring surface topography of the hydrogel-based solar evaporator. Via nanotexture-enhanced heat flux at the evaporation front, the obtained solar evaporator achieves a water evaporation rate of ∼2.6 kg m-2 h-1 at ∼91% energy efficiency under one sun (1 kW m-2). An easy-to-install solar still based on this solar evaporator consisting of cost-effective poly(vinyl alcohol) and activated carbon is deployed to demonstrate the potential for domestic or urgent water purification purposes. Such new design principles of hydrogel-based solar evaporators provides a useful means for surface-enhanced water evaporation to inspire scalable and processable solar evaporators from accessible raw materials.

The Effect of Micro- and Nanoscale Surface Topographies on Silk on Human Corneal Limbal Epithelial Cell Differentiation

We previously reported that micro- and nano-scale topographic pitch created on silk films mimic features of the corneal basement membrane by providing biophysical cues to direct corneal epithelial cell adherence and migration. However, the effect of these topographical features on corneal limbal epithelial cell differentiation has not been explored. We hypothesize in the current study that various topographical pitch created on silk may affect corneal epithelial stem cell differentiation and alter the expression of genes involved in cell differentiation and self-renewal. We patterned silk films with different topographic pitch via soft lithography and observed human corneal limbal epithelial cell behavior. Colony forming assay demonstrated increased colony forming efficiency on patterned silk films. Cells cultured on nanoscale patterned silk films also expressed lower levels of putative keratocyte differentiation markers and higher levels of putative limbal stem cell markers. RNA-Seq analysis further implicated the involvement of pathways related to stem cell differentiation and self-renewal, including Notch, ERK/MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We conclude that patterned silk film substrates can be used as scaffolds and provide biophysical cues to corneal limbal stem cells that may maintain corneal epithelial stem cells at a less differentiated state.

Multiscale boundary frictional performance of diamond like carbon coatings

This paper investigates the frictional performance of a PECVD hydrogenated undoped DLC coating and the alternative super-finished gear steel surface pairs. A tribometer replicates the conditions found in the conjunction of a performance racing transmission spur gear pair. In mixed and boundary regimes of lubrication the DLC contact is shown to have lower friction despite having comparable surface topography when measured using optical interferometry. To determine the mechanisms responsible for improved friction of DLC coated tribo-pairs AFM is used. It is shown that the nanoscale surface topography of the investigated DLC coated pairs reduces the real asperity contact area formed at the same load carrying capacity. This highlights a contributing mechanism for improved friction with the DLC coating.

Dental Pulp Stem Cell Mechanoresponsiveness: Effects of Mechanical Stimuli on Dental Pulp Stem Cell Behavior.

Dental pulp is known to be an accessible and important source of multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells termed dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). DPSCs can differentiate into odontoblast-like cells and maintain pulp homeostasis by the formation of new dentin which protects the underlying pulp. DPSCs similar to other mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reside in a niche, a complex microenvironment consisting of an extracellular matrix, other local cell types and biochemical stimuli that influence the decision between stem cell (SC) self-renewal and differentiation. In addition to biochemical factors, mechanical factors are increasingly recognized as key regulators in DPSC behavior and function. Thus, microenvironments can significantly influence the role and differentiation of DPSCs through a combination of factors which are biochemical, biomechanical and biophysical in nature. Under in vitro conditions, it has been shown that DPSCs are sensitive to different types of force, such as uniaxial mechanical stretch, cyclic tensile strain, pulsating fluid flow, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound as well as being responsive to biomechanical cues presented in the form of micro- and nano-scale surface topographies. To understand how DPSCs sense and respond to the mechanics of their microenvironments, it is essential to determine how these cells convert mechanical and physical stimuli into function, including lineage specification. This review therefore covers some aspects of DPSC mechanoresponsivity with an emphasis on the factors that influence their behavior. An in-depth understanding of the physical environment that influence DPSC fate is necessary to improve the outcome of their therapeutic application for tissue regeneration.

Effects of Surface Nanotopography and Calcium Chemistry of Titanium Bone Implants on Early Blood Platelet and Macrophage Cell Function

Early responses of blood platelets and immunoinflammatory cells (macrophages) to titanium (Ti) bone implants affect the subsequent biological healing of implants by modulating early tissue healing-microenvironments via the formation of temporary fibrin matrix scaffolds for stem cell migration and production of growth factors and cytokines. This study investigated the effects of nanoscale surface topography and calcium ion (Ca2+) modification of Ti surfaces on biocompatibility regulated by blood platelets and macrophages, for the future surface design of Ti bone implants with enhanced early osteogenic capacity. A nanostructured Ti surface with or without Ca2+ enrichment was prepared using the hydrothermal treatment. Immediate and early functions of platelets and macrophages modulated by modified Ti surfaces were investigated by morphological observation of platelet spreading and fibrin matrix formation, platelet growth factor release, immunostaining of macrophage phenotypes, and macrophage inflammatory cytokine production. The results showed that surface nanoscale topographical modification of Ti promotes blood platelet activation and suppresses the inflammatory response of macrophages. In addition, surface chemistry modifications with Ca2+ enhanced the platelet response-modulating function of the nanostructured Ti surface, which accelerated immediate fibrin matrix formation and platelet-derived growth factor-AB release. Thus, nanotopographical and Ca2+ modifications of implant surfaces are expected to be effective approaches that favor the initial phase of wound healing around the Ti bone implants through positive modulation of immediate blood platelet function and early macrophage immunoinflammatory response.

Evaluation of highly carbonated hydroxyapatite bioceramic implant coatings with hierarchical micro-/nanorod topography optimized for osseointegration.

BackgroundOptimal osseointegration has been recognized as a pivotal factor in determining the long-term success of biomedical implants.Materials and methodsIn the current study, highly carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) with carbonate contents of 8, 12 and 16 wt% and pure hydroxyapatite (HA) were fabricated via a novel hydrothermal method and deposited on the titanium substrates to generate corresponding CHA bioceramic coatings (designated as C8, C12 and C16, respectively) and HA bioceramic coatings (designated as C0).ResultsC8, C12 and C16 were endowed with nanoscale, hierarchical hybrid micro-/nanoscale and microscale surface topographies with rod-like superstructures, respectively. Compared with C0, the micro-/nanotextured CHA bioceramic coatings (C8, C12 and C16) possessed excellent surface bioactivity and biocompatibility, as well as better wettability, which mediated improved protein adsorption, giving rise to simultaneous enhancement of a biological cascade of events of rat bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells including cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and, notably, the production of the pro-angiogenic growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A. In particular, C12 with biomimetic hierarchical hybrid micro-/nanorod topography exhibited superior fractal property and predominant performance of protein adsorption, cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenesis concomitant with angiogenesis.ConclusionAll these results suggest that the 12 wt% CHA bioceramic coating with synergistic modification of surface chemistry and topography has great prospect for future use as implant coating to achieve optimum osseointegration for orthopedic and dental applications.

The Role of Membrane Curvature in Nanoscale Topography-Induced Intracellular Signaling.

Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in developing biosensors and devices with nanoscale and vertical topography. Vertical nanostructures induce spontaneous cell engulfment, which enhances the cell-probe coupling efficiency and the sensitivity of biosensors. Although local membranes in contact with the nanostructures are found to be fully fluidic for lipid and membrane protein diffusions, cells appear to actively sense and respond to the surface topography presented by vertical nanostructures. For future development of biodevices, it is important to understand how cells interact with these nanostructures and how their presence modulates cellular function and activities. How cells recognize nanoscale surface topography has been an area of active research for two decades before the recent biosensor works. Extensive studies show that surface topographies in the range of tens to hundreds of nanometers can significantly affect cell functions, behaviors, and ultimately the cell fate. For example, titanium implants having rough surfaces are better for osteoblast attachment and host-implant integration than those with smooth surfaces. At the cellular level, nanoscale surface topography has been shown by a large number of studies to modulate cell attachment, activity, and differentiation. However, a mechanistic understanding of how cells interact and respond to nanoscale topographic features is still lacking. In this Account, we focus on some recent studies that support a new mechanism that local membrane curvature induced by nanoscale topography directly acts as a biochemical signal to induce intracellular signaling, which we refer to as the curvature hypothesis. The curvature hypothesis proposes that some intracellular proteins can recognize membrane curvatures of a certain range at the cell-to-material interface. These proteins then recruit and activate downstream components to modulate cell signaling and behavior. We discuss current technologies allowing the visualization of membrane deformation at the cell membrane-to-substrate interface with nanometer precision and demonstrate that vertical nanostructures induce local curvatures on the plasma membrane. These local curvatures enhance the process of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and affect actin dynamics. We also present evidence that vertical nanostructures can induce significant deformation of the nuclear membrane, which can affect chromatin distribution and gene expression. Finally, we provide a brief perspective on the curvature hypothesis and the challenges and opportunities for the design of nanotopography for manipulating cell behavior.

Severe Plastic Deformation of Commercial Pure Titanium (CP-Ti) for Biomedical Applications: A Brief Review

This paper reviews severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques for producing ultrafine-grained (UFG) and nanostructured commercial pure titanium (CP-Ti) for biomedical applications as the best alternative to titanium alloys. SPD processes, effective parameters, and advantages of nanostructured CP-Ti over coarse-grained (CG) material and Ti alloys are briefly reviewed. It is reported that nanostructured CP-Ti processed via SPD exhibits higher mechanical strength comparable to Ti alloys but better biological response and superior biocompatibility. Also, different surface modification techniques offer different results on UFG and CG CP-Ti, leading to nanoscale surface topography in UFG samples. Overall, it is reported that nanostructured CP-Ti processed by SPD could be considered to be the best candidate for biomedical implants.

The Effects of Acid Etching on the Nanomorphological Surface Characteristics and Activation Energy of Titanium Medical Materials.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the etching mechanism, namely, the etching rate and the activation energy, of a titanium dental implant in concentrated acid and to construct the relation between the activation energy and the nanoscale surface topographies. A commercially-pure titanium (CP Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V ELI surface were tested by shot blasting (pressure, grain size, blasting distance, blasting angle, and time) and acid etching to study its topographical, weight loss, surface roughness, and activation energy. An Arrhenius equation was applied to derive the activation energy for the dissolution of CP Ti/Ti-6Al-4V ELI in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) at different temperatures. In addition, white-light interferometry was applied to measure the surface nanomorphology of the implant to obtain 2D or 3D roughness parameters (Sa, Sq, and St). The nanopore size that formed after etching was approximately 100–500 nm. The surface roughness of CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V ELI decreased as the activation energy decreased but weight loss increased. Ti-6Al-4V ELI has a higher level of activation energy than Ti in HCl, which results in lower surface roughness after acid etching. This study also indicates that etching using a concentrated hydrochloric acid provided superior surface modification effects in titanium compared with H2SO4.

Fabrication and preliminary biological evaluation of a highly porous biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold with nano-hydroxyapatite surface coating

Considering that the structure of scaffold determines its functionality, in this study biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffold with highly interconnected macroporous structure was firstly fabricated by a polymeric sponge replication method, in which a ethanol solution (25vol%) was use for preparation of the slurry and a varying slurry viscosity during multiple impregnations was adopted. Then, the surface coating consisting of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles was formed by a dip coating technology, i.e. immersing the porous scaffold into the nHA slurry (20mg/mL) and sintering it at 650°C. Preliminary in vitro experiments showed that compared to BCP one, nHA-coated BCP scaffold could increase protein adsorption, form more complex bone-like apatite, and promote cell adhesion and proliferation, indicating that nHA-coated BCP scaffold exhibited superior biocompatibility and bioactivity. It might be attributed to its surface nanostructure and abundant nano- to micro- scale pores (< 10µm). This nHA-coated BCP scaffold with both trabecular framework and surface nanoscale topography holds great promise in serving as bone graft for the orthopedic application.

Biological responses to immobilized microscale and nanoscale surface topographies.

Cellular responses are highly influenced by biochemical and biomechanical interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Due to the impact of ECM architecture on cellular responses, significant research has been dedicated towards developing biomaterials that mimic the physiological environment for design of improved medical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds. Surface topographies with microscale and nanoscale features have demonstrated an effect on numerous cellular responses, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, gene expression, protein production, and differentiation; however, relationships between biological responses and surface topographies are difficult to establish due to differences in cell types and biomaterial surface properties. Therefore, it is important to optimize implant surface feature characteristics to elicit desirable biological responses for specific applications. The goal of this work was to review studies investigating the effects of microstructured and nanostructured biomaterials on in vitro biological responses through fabrication of microscale and nanoscale surface topographies, physico-chemical characterization of material surface properties, investigation of protein adsorption dynamics, and evaluation of cellular responses in specific biomedical applications.

Experimental study on self-flowing speed in microchannel related to micro-/nanoscale surface topographies

The microfluidic flowing on chip surface depends on the external load such as centrifugal force, magnetic force and bubbles, but it leads to the complexity of microsystem. Hence, a self-flowing is proposed inside microchannel on chip surface without any external load. The objective is to explore how micro-/nanoscale surface topographies of microchannel influence the microfluidic flowing. First, the microgrinding with a diamond wheel microtip was employed to fabricate the accurate and smooth V-shaped microchannel with the height of 300 µm and less; then, the microfluidic flowing state was modeled by the flowing concave with the parameterization of flow-end height; finally, the microfluidic flowing speed was experimentally investigated with reference to microchannel angle, gradient, surface roughness and chip material. It is shown that the microfluidic self-flowing is mainly induced by the microchannel tip and the nanometer-scale surface cracks around the microchannel tip. Small microchannel angle, large microchannel gradient and smooth microchannel surface may enhance the flowing speed on chip surface. The brittle quartz glass produces the nanometer-scale surface cracks around the microchannel tip, leading to an increase about 40 times in the self-flowing speed compared with the ductile polymer. It is confirmed that the self-flowing speed in dynamic state may be characterized by the proposed concave flow-end height.

Lipid Layers on Nanoscale Surface Topography: Stability and Effect on Protein Adsorption.

Herein, we report the coating of a surface with a random nanoscale topography with a lipid film formed by an anchoring stearic acid (SA) monolayer and phospholipid (DPPC) layers. For this purpose, different procedures were used for phospholipid coating, including adsorption from solution, drop deposition, and spin-coating. Our results reveal that the morphology of the obtained lipid films is strongly influenced by the topography of the underlying substrate but also impacted by other factors, including the coating procedure and surface wettability (modulated by the presence of SA). These coated surfaces showed a remarkable antifouling behavior toward proteins, with different yields of repellency (Yrp) depending on the amount/organization of DPPC on the nanostructured substrate. The interaction between the proteins and phospholipids involves a partial detachement of the film. The use of characterization techniques with different charcateristics (accuracy, selectivity, analysis depth) did not reveal any obvious vertical heterogenity of the probed interface, indicating that the lipid film acts as a nonfouling coating on the whole surface, including the outermost part (nanoprotrusions) and deeper regions (valleys).

Light-Stimulated Permanent Shape Reconfiguration in Cross-Linked Polymer Microparticles.

Reconfiguring the permanent shape of elastomeric microparticles has been impossible due to the incapability of plastic deformation in these materials. To address this limitation, we synthesize the first instance of microparticles comprising a covalent adaptable network (CAN). CANs are cross-linked polymer networks capable of reconfiguring their network topology, enabling stress relaxation and shape changing behaviors, and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) is the corresponding dynamic chemistry used in this work to enable CAN-based microparticles. Using nanoimprint lithography to apply controllable deformations we demonstrate that upon light stimulation microparticles are able to reconfigure their shape to permanently fix large aspect ratios and nanoscale surface topographies.

Nanoscale surface topography imaging using phase-resolved spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Microscopic surface topography plays an important role in studying the functions and properties of materials. Microscopic surface topography measurement has been widely used in many areas, such as machine manufacturing, electronic industry and biotechnology. Optical interferometry is a popular technique for surface topography measurement with an axial resolution up to nanoscale. However, the application of this technique is hampered by phase wrapping, which results in a limited measurement range for this technique. Various digital algorithms for phase unwrapping have been proposed based on the phase continuity between two adjacent points. However, several significant challenges still exist in recovering correct phase with this technique. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact three-dimensional imaging modality with high spatial resolution, and it has been widely used for imaging the biological tissues. In this paper, we demonstrate a method for nanoscale imaging of surface topography by using common-path phase-resolved spectral domain OCT to reduce the influence of phase wrapping. The system includes a superluminescent diode with a central wavelength of 1310 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 62 nm, an optical fiber circulator, a home-made spectrometer, and a reference arm and a sample arm in common-path arrangement. The reference mirror and the sample under investigation are positioned on a same stage in order to further reduce the influence of ambient vibration. The phase difference between two adjacent points is calculated by performing Fourier transform on the measured interferometric spectrum. The phase difference distribution of the surface is obtained first. And then, the surface topography of the sample is constructed by integrating the phase difference distribution. In the traditional methods, phase wrapping occurs if the absolute value of the measured phase is greater than . However, in the present method, phase wrapping occurs if the absolute value of the phase difference between two adjacent points is greater than . The maximal detectable absolute value of the phase difference between two adjacent points increases from for the traditional methods to 2 for the present method. The experimental results indicate that the present system has a high stability and the maximum fluctuation is less than 0.3 nm without averaging. The accuracy of the system is tested with a piezo stage, and the mean absolute deviation of the measured results is 0.62 nm. The performance of the present system is also demonstrated by the surface topography imaging of an optical resolution test target and a roughness comparison specimen. The experimental result shows that the present system is a potential powerful tool for surface topography imaging with an axial resolution better than 1 nm.

An artful method for in-situ assessment of the anti-biofouling potential of various functional coatings using a quartz crystal microbalance

The undesired adhesion of biomass on solid substrates submerged in liquid environments (biofouling) causes enormous financial losses worldwide. The biofouling could be prevented by an appropriate physicochemical surface modification, which is a well established and environmentally-friendly approach. Here, we report an artful quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) based method for qualitative in-situ assessment of the anti-fouling potential of a variety of functional coatings. For that purpose, three groups of 5MHz QCMs, coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC), fluorocarbon-functionalized diamond-like carbon (FFDLC) and carbon soot, are immersed in aqueous suspensions of four biofoulants such as red Polysiphonia and green Scenedesmus algae, cells of diatom Navicula and filamentous cyanobacteria Oscillatoria. The analysis of the resonance frequency and dynamic resistance fluctuations for each sensor group reveals that the QCMs are capable of detecting the differences in the thermodynamics of cell adhesion and the settlement affinity of biofoulants, depending on the coatings’ physicochemical properties. In particular, the soot’s superhydrophobicity and nanoscale surface topography completely prevent the biofouling and the soot coated QCMs show relatively unaltered sensor signal during the probing cycles. These findings are an excellent foundation for further incorporation of diverse biofouling assays on miniature and portable sensor devices.

Biological Response of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Commercial Tantalum Coatings with Microscale and Nanoscale Surface Topographies

Tantalum is a promising orthopaedic implant coating material due to its robust mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and excellent biocompatibility. Previous studies have demonstrated improved biocompatibility and tissue integration of surface-treated tantalum coatings compared to untreated tantalum. Surface modification of tantalum coatings with biologically inspired microscale and nanoscale features may be used to evoke optimal tissue responses. The goal of this study was to evaluate commercial tantalum coatings with nanoscale, sub-microscale, and microscale surface topographies for orthopaedic and dental applications using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Tantalum coatings with different microscale and nanoscale surface topographies were fabricated using a diffusion process or chemical vapor deposition. Biological evaluation of the tantalum coatings using hBMSCs showed that tantalum coatings promote cellular adhesion and growth. Furthermore, hBMSC adhesion to the tantalum coatings was dependent on surface feature characteristics, with enhanced cell adhesion on sub-micrometer- and micrometer-sized surface topographies compared to hybrid nano-/microstructures. Nanostructured and microstructured tantalum coatings should be further evaluated to optimize the surface coating features to promote osteogenesis and enhance osseointegration of tantalum-based orthopaedic implants.

Polymer microfilters with nanostructured surfaces for the culture of circulating cancer cells

There is a critical need to improve the accuracy of drug screening and testing through the development of in vitro culture systems that more effectively mimic the in vivo environment. Surface topographical features on the nanoscale level, in short nanotopography, effect the cell growth patterns, and hence affect cell function in culture. We report the preliminary results on the fabrication, and subsequent cellular growth, of nanoscale surface topography on polymer microfilters using cell lines as a precursor to circulating tumor cells (CTCs). To create various nanoscale features on the microfilter surface, we used reactive ion etching (RIE) with and without an etching mask. An anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane fabricated directly on the polymer surface served as an etching mask. Polymer filters with a variety of modified surfaces were used to compare the effects on the culture of cancer cell lines in blank culture wells, with untreated microfilters or with RIE-treated microfilters. We then report the differences of cell shape, phenotype and growth patterns of bladder and glioblastoma cancer cell lines after isolation on the various types of material modifications. Our data suggest that RIE modified polymer filters can isolate model cell lines while retaining ell viability, and that the RIE filter modification allows T24 monolayering cells to proliferate as a structured cluster.