Characterization and Testing Methods for Biomaterials and Biomimetic Structures

Dear Colleagues,

Novel biomaterials are essential to realize functional structures and devices for biological applications. Fabrication and processing techniques (e.g., direct laser writing, UV lithography, bioprinting, soft lithography) make use of biocompatible materials and allow modeling them in organized micro- and macrostructures. In turn, these can work as scaffolds for cell expansion, platforms for single-cell studies, or devices to be implanted in vivo. Therefore, the connection between materials choice, manufacturing techniques, and biological relevance is extremely tight, and it is not possible to think about functional applications without proper evaluation of the chemical, mechanical, and structural properties of the used materials.

This Special Issue focuses on the most recent advances in techniques and methodologies to assess structural and functional properties of materials for biological applications. Addressed topics include but are not limited to:

• Nondestructive techniques for biomaterials characterization, with special reference to hydrogels and polymers for scaffolding;
• Innovative mechanical testing procedures;
• Biochemical and functional characterization strategies;
• Optical, electron, and atomic force microscopy techniques for the investigation of material properties;
• Novel approaches to study rheological properties of cell-laden bio-inks;
• Testing on 3D structures;
• Evaluation of time-dependent mechanical and chemical properties in stimuli-responsive materials.

Original research contributions will be prioritized, but critical reviews about the state of the art, current limitations, and future perspectives are also welcome.

Dr. Enrico Lemma
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.