Fig. 4.

Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) adhere but cluster on surface-modified POSS-PCU scaffolds. HBECs seeded on the scaffolds at 1 × 10⁶ cells/cm² were glutaraldehyde-fixed two days post seeding and imaged by scanning electron microscopy. Top and middle rows show the dusted surface of the scaffolds at 75× and 400×, respectively. Third row shows magnified inserts of scanning electron microscope pictures demonstrating HBECs adhering to the scaffolds with evidence of early stages of cytoskeleton development, extrusion of podia and flattening. Bottom panel shows a cross section of the scaffolds at 75× magnification.