The three-dimensional scaffolds of a blend of starch and poly(L-lactic) acid, SPLA70, were produced using compression molding of polymer/salt mixture followed by leaching of salt. One series of scaffolds were prepared with varying polymer-to-salt ratio while keeping the salt size constant, and the other series of scaffolds were prepared with varying salt sizes while keeping the polymer-to-salt ratio constant. The X-ray microcomputed tomography and scanning electron microscopy assay were used to analyze the porous morphologies, porosity and distribution of porosity of the porous scaffolds. Salt-free and integrated SPLA70 scaffolds with porosities ranging from 74% to 82% and pore sizes of 125-250 to 500-1000 microm can be fabricated using the present fabrication technique. The water uptake of the SPLA70 scaffolds increases with increasing porosities and also with increasing pore size. In dry state, the storage modulus decreases with increasing porosity and also with increasing pore size. The normalized modulus values are related to normalized density of the scaffolds by a power-law function with an exponent between 2 and 3. For the immersed scaffolds under physiological conditions, the storage modulus was less dependent on porosity and pore size. However, the loss factor increased significantly compared with dry state measurements. The present study clearly shows that the mechanical performance of porous polymeric constructs in dry and in immersed state is completely different, and for comparison with biomechanical performance of tissues, the tests should ideally be performed in immersed state.

MFe 2 O 4 (M = Ni and Zn) nanoparticles were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray and electron diffraction, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The transmission images show homogeneous shape and particle size ranging from 10 to 40 nm, depending on the nature of the M cation. Mössbauer spectroscopy yields to a ratio of occupancy between the A and B sites of 0.7 in the case of NiFe 2 O 4 oxide. DC magnetization (2-300 K) measurements reveal a superparamagnetic behaviour for the ZnFe 2 O 4 sample with a blocking temperature of 20 K. By contrast, in the case of the NiFe 2 O 4 ferrite the blocking temperature appears to be above 300 K and at lower temperature, it shows a ferrimagnetic behaviour arising from the superexchange interactions that take place in this inverse spinel. Mössbauer spectroscopy results confirm the bulk magnetic measurements.Keywords: ferrites, nanoparticles, superparamagnetism, ferrimagnetism, inverse spinel. Nanopartículas de ferrita MFe 2 O 4 (M = Ni y Zn): síntesis hidrotermal y propiedades magnéticas.Se han preparado mediante el método hidrotermal nanopartículas de ferritas MFe 2 O 4 (M = Ni, Zn). Las muestras obtenidas fueron caracterizadas mediante difracción de rayos X y electrones, microscopía electrónica de transmisión y barrido y espectroscopia Mössbauer. Las imágenes de transmisión muestran partículas de forma y tamaño homogéneo de 10 a 40 nm según la naturaleza del catión M. La espectroscopia Mössbauer revela una relación de ocupación entre los sitios A y B por los átomos de hierro de 0.7 en el caso del óxido NiFe 2 O 4 . Las medidas de magnetización DC (2 -300 K) muestran un comportamiento superparamagnético para la muestra ZnFe 2 O 4 con una temperatura de bloqueo de 20 K. En el caso de las nanopartículas de NiFe 2 O 4 la temperatura de bloqueo parece estar por encima de los 300 K mostrando por debajo de la misma, comportamiento ferrimagnético provocado por las interacciones de superintercambio que tienen lugar en esta espinela inversa. Los resultados de espectroscopia Mössbauer confirman los datos de las medidas magnéticas.Palabras clave: ferritas, nanopartículas, superparamgnetismo, ferrimagnetismo, espinela inversa.