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Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials
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Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis of Biomaterials via Advanced Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2026) | Viewed by 21340

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daniel Sola

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Guest Editor
1. Aragonese Foundation for Research and Development (ARAID), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
2. Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza—CSIC, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: biomaterials; coatings; tissue repair; laser–matter interaction; laser micro- and nano-structuring; spectroscopic characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials processing is a crucial stage that involves mechanical and chemical treatment of the source material to be developed into a biocompatible and bioactive product for a specific medical application. The processing of biomaterials involves changing the bulk or surface properties, obtaining a desired shape, or improving the biocompatibility of the material. Manufacturing and processing techniques for various biomaterials and structures are different. For example, for metal biomaterials, alloying, strain hardening, and annealing methods are common. Injection molding, melt extrusion, and electrospinning are suitable methods for processing polymeric biomaterials. Porous structures can be obtained using either the foaming process or the particle-leaching technique. The fabrication of 3D structures is important in tissue engineering; it is common to use freeze drying, gas foaming, electrospinning, laser-assisted techniques, and so on.

This Special Issue aims to provide readers recent advances in the processing techniques of all kinds of biomaterials. It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue.

Dr. Daniel Sola
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. Journal of Functional Biomaterials 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.

Keywords

  • processing
  • biocompatibility
  • surface modification
  • functionalization
  • electrospinning
  • laser processing
  • 3D printing

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 152 KB  
Editorial
Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials
by Daniel Sola
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17020091 - 13 Feb 2026
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Biomaterial processing is a crucial operation that involves mechanical and chemical treatments to transform a source material into a biocompatible and bioactive product tailored to a specific medical application [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

14 pages, 3537 KB  
Article
Electrostatic Patterning of Nanofibrous Microcapsules for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture
by Masashi Ikeuchi, Yoshinori Inoue, Ryosuke Tane, Daisuke Ishikawa, Chihiro Aoyama, Yoshitaka Miyamoto and Koji Ikuta
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17010042 - 15 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 792
Abstract
Three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds with controlled geometry and surface nanoarchitecture are essential for advancing polymer processing strategies in tissue engineering. Conventional electrospinning generates nanofibrous structures but has limited ability to reproduce defined three-dimensional shapes or achieve high pattern fidelity. This study aimed to develop [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds with controlled geometry and surface nanoarchitecture are essential for advancing polymer processing strategies in tissue engineering. Conventional electrospinning generates nanofibrous structures but has limited ability to reproduce defined three-dimensional shapes or achieve high pattern fidelity. This study aimed to develop a scalable processing method for producing biodegradable scaffolds with precisely controlled microstructure and geometry using phase separation–assisted electrospray. Poly (lactic acid) microcapsules with tunable diameters and porous nanofibrous surfaces were fabricated under controlled humidity and deposited onto conductive molds to obtain two- and three-dimensional scaffold shapes. The manufacturing process required only simple electrospray equipment and static molds, without mechanically complex collectors or moving stages. The resulting scaffolds replicated mold features with resolutions down to 200 μm and achieved thickness up to 600 μm. The nanofibrous microcapsule surfaces supported strong adhesion and metabolic activity of HepG2 cells, while cellular penetration into deeper scaffold regions remained limited to approximately 80 μm. These findings indicate that electrospray-mediated microcapsule deposition is a practical polymer-processing approach that integrates nanofibrous surface formation with mold-defined shaping, offering a reproducible and scalable method for fabricating structurally precise and biologically compatible three-dimensional scaffolds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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11 pages, 1684 KB  
Article
Polarization Dependence on the Optical Emission in Nd-Doped Bioactive W-TCP Coatings
by Daniel Sola, Eloy Chueca and José Ignacio Peña
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17010038 - 13 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 616
Abstract
Neodymium-doped bioactive wollastonite–tricalcium phosphate (W-TCP:Nd) coatings were fabricated by combining dip-coating and laser floating zone (LFZ) techniques to investigate the dependence of optical emission on polarization. Structural and spectroscopic analyses were performed on both longitudinal and transversal sections of the coating to assess [...] Read more.
Neodymium-doped bioactive wollastonite–tricalcium phosphate (W-TCP:Nd) coatings were fabricated by combining dip-coating and laser floating zone (LFZ) techniques to investigate the dependence of optical emission on polarization. Structural and spectroscopic analyses were performed on both longitudinal and transversal sections of the coating to assess the effects of directional solidification on luminescence and vibrational behavior. Micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed that the coating exhibited sharp, well-defined peaks compared to the W-TCP:Nd glass, confirming its glass-ceramic nature. New Raman modes appeared in the longitudinal section, accompanied by red and blue shifts in some bands relative to the transversal section, suggesting the presence of anisotropic stress and orientation-dependent crystal growth. Optical emission measurements showed that while the 4F3/2→4I11/2 transition near 1060 nm was nearly polarization independent, the 4F3/2→4I9/2 transition around 870–900 nm exhibited strong polarization dependence with notable Stark splitting. The relative intensity and spectral position of the Stark components varied systematically with the rotation of the emission polarization. These findings demonstrate that directional solidification induces polarization-dependent optical behavior, indicating potential applications for polarization-sensitive optical tracking and sensing in bioactive implant coatings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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19 pages, 8122 KB  
Article
Biological Characterization of 3D-Printed, Sintered Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Obtained by Fused Filament Fabrication: An In Vitro Study
by Eddy Shan, Cristina Chamorro, Ana Ferrández-Montero, Rosa M. Martin-Rodriguez, Leire Virto, María José Marín, Begoña Ferrari, Antonio Javier Sanchez-Herencia, Elena Figuero and Mariano Sanz
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(10), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16100392 - 19 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3643
Abstract
This study characterized the biological response of MG-63 cells to synthetic, hydroxyapatite scaffolds (HAsint) fabricated via fused filament fabrication. Scaffolds were compared to 2D plate-adherent cultures using six assays: cell morphology and distribution with scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy; cell [...] Read more.
This study characterized the biological response of MG-63 cells to synthetic, hydroxyapatite scaffolds (HAsint) fabricated via fused filament fabrication. Scaffolds were compared to 2D plate-adherent cultures using six assays: cell morphology and distribution with scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy; cell proliferation and cytotoxicity via WST-1 tetrazolium assay; relative osteogenic gene expression through reverse-transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein synthesis via multiplex immunoassay. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results confirmed high cell viability and uniform distribution on HAsint scaffolds. Proliferation increased significantly over 7 days, though direct cytotoxicity also increased, likely due to the static conditions of the experiment and, subsequently, the high ion reprecipitation from scaffold degradation. Importantly, HAsint scaffolds significantly enhanced osteogenic marker expression of phosphatase alkaline (ALPL), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN) genes, and elevated concentrations of interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinase 1 compared to plate-adherent controls. It can be concluded that 3D-printed HAsint scaffolds support robust osteogenic differentiation and proliferation despite inducing a transient cytotoxic response in vitro. The marked upregulation of key osteogenic genes and proteins confirms the scaffolds’ bioactivity and highlights their potential for bone tissue engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 2248 KB  
Article
Effect of Laser Scanning Parameters on Surface Morphology and Topography of Glass Solder-Coated Zirconia Substrate
by Fiona Hartung, Christian Moss, Hermann Seitz and Georg Schnell
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(9), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090324 - 3 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Surface roughness and morphology, along with surface chemistry, are key features for improving ingrowth behavior and combating peri-implantitis after the insertion of dental implants. Using femtosecond laser texturing, this study aims to control both morphological and topographical surface properties of a glass solder [...] Read more.
Surface roughness and morphology, along with surface chemistry, are key features for improving ingrowth behavior and combating peri-implantitis after the insertion of dental implants. Using femtosecond laser texturing, this study aims to control both morphological and topographical surface properties of a glass solder coating on a zirconia substrate for dental applications. Experiments with varying laser and scanning parameters on the upper glass solder layer show the occurrence of two different surface morphologies. On the one hand, periodic wave-like structures are generated at relatively low pulse energy, with a high scanning pulse overlap of 80 to 90% and a scanning line overlap of 50%. On the other hand, a cauliflower-like structure can be observed at high pulse energies and a line overlap of up to 90%. Both surface morphologies represent a potential way to modify the glass solder surface to customize hard- and soft-tissue ingrowth, while realizing anti-adhesive properties for pathogenic bacteria in dental applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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24 pages, 11240 KB  
Article
Study of the Interplay Among Melt Morphology, Rheology and 3D Printability of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Blends
by Marco Costantini, Flavio Cognini, Roberta Angelini, Sara Alfano, Marianna Villano, Andrea Martinelli, David Bolzonella, Marco Rossi and Andrea Barbetta
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16010009 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3043
Abstract
Polymeric materials made from renewable sources that can biodegrade in the environment are attracting considerable attention as substitutes for petroleum-based polymers in many fields, including additive manufacturing and, in particular, Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). Among the others, poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) hold significant potential as [...] Read more.
Polymeric materials made from renewable sources that can biodegrade in the environment are attracting considerable attention as substitutes for petroleum-based polymers in many fields, including additive manufacturing and, in particular, Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). Among the others, poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) hold significant potential as candidates for FDM since they meet the sustainability and biodegradability standards mentioned above. However, the most utilised PHA, consisting of the poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) homopolymer, has a high degree of crystallinity and low thermal stability near the melting point. As a result, its application in FDM has not yet attained mainstream adoption. Introducing a monomer with higher excluded volume, such as hydroxyvalerate, in the PHB primary structure, as in poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) copolymers, reduces the degree of crystallinity and the melting temperature, hence improving the PHA printability. Blending amorphous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with PHBV enhances further PHA printability via FDM. In this work, we investigated the printability of two blends characterised by different PLA and PHBV weight ratios (25:75 and 50:50), revealing the close connection between blend microstructures, melt rheology and 3D printability. For instance, the relaxation time associated with die swelling upon extrusion determines the diameter of the extruded filament, while the viscoelastic properties the range of extrusion speed available. Through thoroughly screening printing parameters such as deposition speed, nozzle diameter, flow percentage and deposition platform temperature, we determined the optimal printing conditions for the two PLA/PHBV blends. It turned out that the blend with a 50:50 weight ratio could be printed faster and with higher accuracy. Such a conclusion was validated by replicating with remarkable fidelity high-complexity objects, such as a patient’s cancer-affected iliac crest model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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Graphical abstract

23 pages, 30182 KB  
Article
Synthetic Extracellular Matrix of Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture
by Thi Xuan Thuy Tran, Gyu-Min Sun, Hue Vy An Tran, Young Hun Jeong, Petr Slama, Young-Chae Chang, In-Jeong Lee and Jong-Young Kwak
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(9), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15090262 - 10 Sep 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3066
Abstract
An ideal extracellular matrix (ECM) replacement scaffold in a three-dimensional cell (3D) culture should induce in vivo-like interactions between the ECM and cultured cells. Highly hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers disintegrate upon contact with water, resulting in the loss of their fibrous morphology [...] Read more.
An ideal extracellular matrix (ECM) replacement scaffold in a three-dimensional cell (3D) culture should induce in vivo-like interactions between the ECM and cultured cells. Highly hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers disintegrate upon contact with water, resulting in the loss of their fibrous morphology in cell cultures. This can be resolved by using chemical crosslinkers and post-crosslinking. A crosslinked, water-stable, porous, and optically transparent PVA nanofibrous membrane (NM) supports the 3D growth of various cell types. The binding of cells attached to the porous PVA NM is low, resulting in the aggregation of cultured cells in prolonged cultures. PVA NMs containing integrin-binding peptides of fibronectin and laminin were produced to retain the blended peptides as cell-binding substrates. These peptide-blended PVA NMs promote peptide-specific cell adherence and growth. Various cells, including epithelial cells, cultured on these PVA NMs form layers instead of cell aggregates and spheroids, and their growth patterns are similar to those of the cells cultured on an ECM-coated PVA NM. The peptide-retained PVA NMs are non-stimulatory to dendritic cells cultured on the membranes. These peptide-retaining PVA NMs can be used as an ECM replacement matrix by providing in vivo-like interactions between the matrix and cultured cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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Review

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42 pages, 1721 KB  
Review
Electrospinning Enables Opportunity for Green and Effective Antibacterial Coatings of Medical Devices
by Saverio Caporalini, Bahareh Azimi, Samir Zergat, Mahdi Ansari Chaharsoughi, Homa Maleki, Giovanna Batoni and Serena Danti
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(7), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070249 - 6 Jul 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4010
Abstract
The growing antimicrobial resistance and the increasing environmental concerns associated with conventional antibacterial agents have prompted a search for more effective and sustainable alternatives. Biopolymer-based nanofibers are promising candidates to produce environment-friendly antibacterial coatings, owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio, structural adaptability, and [...] Read more.
The growing antimicrobial resistance and the increasing environmental concerns associated with conventional antibacterial agents have prompted a search for more effective and sustainable alternatives. Biopolymer-based nanofibers are promising candidates to produce environment-friendly antibacterial coatings, owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio, structural adaptability, and tunable porosity. These features make them particularly well-suited for delivering antimicrobial agents in a controlled manner and for physically modifying the surface of medical devices. This review critically explores recent advances in the use of electrospun fibers enhanced with natural antimicrobial agents as eco-friendly surface coatings. The mechanisms of antibacterial action, key factors affecting their efficacy, and comparisons with conventional antibacterial agents are discussed herein. Emphasis is placed on the role of a “green electrospinning” process, which utilizes bio-based materials and nontoxic solvents, to enable coatings able to better combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Applications in various clinical settings, including implants, wound dressings, surgical textiles, and urinary devices, are explored. Finally, the environmental benefits and prospects for the scalability and sustainability of green coatings are discussed to underscore their relevance to next-generation, sustainable solutions in healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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Graphical abstract

20 pages, 1556 KB  
Review
Spheroid-Exosome-Based Bioprinting Technology in Regenerative Medicine
by Hwa-Yong Lee and Jin Woo Lee
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(11), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15110345 - 14 Nov 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3123
Abstract
Since the discovery that exosomes can exchange genes, their potential use as tools for tissue regeneration, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic applications has drawn significant attention. Emerging three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, such as bioprinting, which allows the printing of cells, proteins, DNA, and other [...] Read more.
Since the discovery that exosomes can exchange genes, their potential use as tools for tissue regeneration, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic applications has drawn significant attention. Emerging three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, such as bioprinting, which allows the printing of cells, proteins, DNA, and other biological materials, have demonstrated the potential to create complex body tissues or personalized 3D models. The use of 3D spheroids in bioprinting facilitates volumetric tissue reconstruction and accelerates tissue regeneration via exosome secretion. In this review, we discussed a convergence approach between two promising technologies for bioprinting and exosomes in regenerative medicine. Among the various 3D cell culture methods used for exosome production, we focused on spheroids, which are suitable for mass production by bioprinting. We then summarized the research results on cases of bioprinting applications using the spheroids and exosomes produced. If a large number of spheroids can be supplied through bioprinting, the spheroid-exosome-based bioprinting technology will provide new possibilities for application in tissue regeneration, disease diagnosis, and treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Processing Functional Biomaterials)
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