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Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications: 3rd Edition

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A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 3617

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Xiang Ge

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Mechanism Theory and Equipment Design of Ministry of Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Interests: biofabrication; biomaterials; antibacterial materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a new Special Issue collection of the journal Biomimetics, entitled “Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications”, for which we are collecting research articles, review articles, and short communications.

Recently, functional biomimetic materials and devices have attracted a lot of interest because they possess remarkable properties, such as a super-hydrophobic or super-hydrophilic ability, anti-fouling ability, anti-bacterial adhesion ability, bactericidal ability, and good cell affinity. Thus, researchers have started to explore the potential applications of these promising functional biomimetic materials and devices in biomedical fields, including orthopedics, dentistry, antibacterial biomaterials, anticancer biomaterials, and so on.

This Special Issue aims to showcase contributions from researchers and thinkers in all realms of functional biomimetic materials and devices and welcomes theoretical, experimental, and review contributions from biomimeticians, physicists, biologists, material scientists, mathematicians, doctors, and engineers alike who are engaged and interested in this fast-growing field. All papers will be published in an open-access format following a peer review.

Dr. Xiang Ge
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Biomimetics 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 2200 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.

Keywords

biomimetic surface modification
dental and orthopedic implants
micro-/nano-structured surfaces
biofabrication
bio-manufacturing
biomedical
biomaterials
metals
ceramics
polymers
composites
hydrogels
antibacterial
anti-infection
anti-inflammation
anticancer
antitumor
biomineralization
additive manufacturing
3D printing
biomimetic devices
wearable devices

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attachment of Fibrinogen on Ion Beam Treated Polyurethane

by Vyacheslav Chudinov, Igor Shardakov, Irina Kondyurina and Alexey Kondyurin

Biomimetics 2024, 9(4), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9040234 - 15 Apr 2024

Viewed by 376

Abstract

Protein-stable coverage of the artificial implant is a key problem for biocompatibility. In the present study, a protein layer was attached covalently to a polyurethane surface treated by an ion beam. A plasma system consisting of a vacuum chamber (0.8 Pa pressure) with a high voltage electrode powered by a short pulse (20 μS pulse duration and 200 Hz pulse repetition) generator was designed. Polyurethane with a formulation certified as a material for medical implants was treated by nitrogen ions with an energy of 20 keV and 5 × 10¹⁴–10¹⁶ ions/cm² fluence range. Wettability measurements, X-ray photoelectron, Raman, Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection, and ellipsometry spectra showed a significant change in the structure of the surface layer of the treated polyurethane. The surface of the treated polyurethane contained a carbonised layer containing condensed aromatic clusters with terminal free radicals. The surface energy of polyurethane surface increased from 33 to 65 mJ/m². The treated polyurethane surface became capable of adsorbing and chemically binding protein (fibrinogen). The designed system for ion beam treatment can be used for surface activation of biomedical polymer devices, where a total protein coverage is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications: 3rd Edition)

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15 pages, 21215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Artificial Coronary Plaque to Model Coronary Heart Disease

by Philipp Lindenhahn, Jannik Richter, Iliyana Pepelanova, Bettina Seeger, Holger A. Volk, Rabea Hinkel, Bernhard Hiebl, Thomas Scheper, Jan B. Hinrichs, Lena S. Becker, Axel Haverich and Tim Kaufeld

Biomimetics 2024, 9(4), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9040197 - 26 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Background: Experimental coronary artery interventions are currently being performed on non-diseased blood vessels in healthy animals. To provide a more realistic pathoanatomical scenario for investigations on novel interventional and surgical therapies, we aimed to fabricate a stenotic lesion, mimicking the morphology and structure of a human atherosclerotic plaque. Methods: In an interdisciplinary setting, we engineered a casting mold to create an atherosclerotic plaque with the dimensions to fit in a porcine coronary artery. Oscillatory rheology experiments took place along with long-term stability tests assessed by microscopic examination and weight monitoring. For the implantability in future in vivo setups, we performed a cytotoxicity assessment, inserted the plaque in resected pig hearts, and performed diagnostic imaging to visualize the plaque in its final position. Results: The most promising composition consists of gelatin, cholesterol, phospholipids, hydroxyapatite, and fine-grained calcium carbonate. It can be inserted in the coronary artery of human-sized pig hearts, producing a local partial stenosis and interacting like the atherosclerotic plaque by stretching and shrinking with the vessel wall and surrounding tissue. Conclusion: This artificial atherosclerotic plaque model works as a simulating tool for future medical testing and could be crucial for further specified research on coronary artery disease and is going to help to provide information about the optimal interventional and surgical care of the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications: 3rd Edition)

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20 pages, 4483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Warm Air Delivery in Adhesive Application: Effect on Bonding Performance and Morphological Outcomes

by Rim Bourgi, Naji Kharouf, Carlos Enrique Cuevas-Suárez, Monika Lukomska-Szymanska, Khalil Kharma, Fabienne Hajj Moussa, Manar Metlej, Youssef Haikel and Louis Hardan

Biomimetics 2024, 9(4), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9040194 - 24 Mar 2024

Viewed by 709

Abstract

Solvent evaporation within an adhesive layer is a crucial step during a bonding process. The aim of this current research was to test whether the use of different air temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C) for solvent evaporation improves the performance of four adhesive systems to dentin. Sixty non-carious human molar teeth were randomly prepared for micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) tests. Four different adhesive systems, Prime&Bond Universal (PBU), OptiBond Universal (OBU), OptiBond FL (OBFL), and Clearfil SE (CSE), were applied following the manufacturer’s instructions. Three groups based on the air-drying temperature were used: solvent evaporation was performed with either of warm (40 °C), (60 °C), and cold air as control group (20 °C) for 10 s at a distance of 5 cm. In all bonded surfaces, three resin composite (Reflectys, Itena Clinical, Paris, France) layers of 2 mm thickness were built up. The resin–dentin samples were kept in distilled water at 37 °C for 24 h and 6 months, respectively, before μTBS testing. Failure analysis, scanning electron microscopy of resin–dentin bonded interface, and solvent evaporation rate were tested as secondary variables. All analyses were conducted using a significance level of α = 0.05. Bond strength (BS) values were similar among all the adhesive systems used (p > 0.05). Also, the aging factor did not affect the BS (p > 0.05). Only the factor of temperature used for solvent evaporation resulted in a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05), with the temperature of 60 °C being the highest value (p < 0.05). A failure mode evaluation revealed mostly adhesive or mixed modes of failures in all the different temperatures of air used for the solvent evaporation of each adhesive system. The thickness of the adhesive layer and the creation of resin tags varied amongst the temperatures evaluated. For all adhesive systems tested, the use of 40 °C or 60 °C air for solvent evaporation led to an increased mass loss. Warmer temperatures for solvent evaporation contributed positively to bonding performance, enhancing both the quality of the adhesive layer and its interaction with the dentin tissue. Optimizing solvent evaporation with warmer air temperatures (40 °C and 60 °C) significantly improved µTBS, offering a practical means to enhance the quality and longevity of adhesive restorations in esthetic dentistry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications: 3rd Edition)

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18 pages, 21832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biocompatible Composite Filaments Printable by Fused Deposition Modelling Technique: Selection of Tuning Parameters by Influence of Biogenic Hydroxyapatite and Graphene Nanoplatelets Ratios

by Aura-Cătălina Mocanu, Andreea-Elena Constantinescu, Mădălina-Andreea Pandele, Ștefan Ioan Voicu, Robert-Cătălin Ciocoiu, Dan Batalu, Augustin Semenescu, Florin Miculescu and Lucian-Toma Ciocan

Biomimetics 2024, 9(3), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9030189 - 20 Mar 2024

Viewed by 778

Abstract

The proposed strategy for the extrusion of printable composite filaments follows the favourable association of biogenic hydroxyapatite (HA) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) as reinforcement materials for a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix. HA particles were chosen in the <40 μm range, while GNP were selected in the micrometric range. During the melt–mixing incorporation into the PLA matrix, both reinforcement ratios were simultaneously modulated for the first time at different increments. Cylindrical composite pellets/test samples were obtained only for the mechanical and wettability behaviour evaluation. The Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy depicted two levels of overlapping structures due to the solid molecular bond between all materials. Scanning electron microscopy and surface wettability and mechanical evaluations vouched for the (1) uniform/homogenous dispersion/embedding of HA particles up to the highest HA/GNP ratio, (2) physical adhesion at the HA-PLA interface due to the HA particles’ porosity, (3) HA-GNP bonding, and (4) PLA-GNP synergy based on GNP complete exfoliation and dispersion into the matrix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications: 3rd Edition)

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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessReview

Replace or Regenerate? Diverse Approaches to Biomaterials for Treating Corneal Lesions

by Pietro Bonato and Andrea Bagno

Biomimetics 2024, 9(4), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9040202 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 857

Abstract

The inner structures of the eye are protected by the cornea, which is a transparent membrane exposed to the external environment and subjected to the risk of lesions and diseases, sometimes resulting in impaired vision and blindness. Several eye pathologies can be treated with a keratoplasty, a surgical procedure aimed at replacing the cornea with tissues from human donors. Even though the success rate is high (up to 90% for the first graft in low-risk patients at 5-year follow-up), this approach is limited by the insufficient number of donors and several clinically relevant drawbacks. Alternatively, keratoprosthesis can be applied in an attempt to restore minimal functions of the cornea: For this reason, it is used only for high-risk patients. Recently, many biomaterials of both natural and synthetic origin have been developed as corneal substitutes to restore and replace diseased or injured corneas in low-risk patients. After illustrating the traditional clinical approaches, the present paper aims to review the most innovative solutions that have been recently proposed to regenerate the cornea, avoiding the use of donor tissues. Finally, innovative approaches to biological tissue 3D printing and xenotransplantation will be mentioned. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Biomimetic Materials and Devices for Biomedical Applications: 3rd Edition)

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