Advanced Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Behavior of Implantable Biomaterials and Scaffolds

Dear Colleagues,

Implantable biomaterials and scaffolds play a central role in contemporary regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and implant dentistry. Their clinical performance and long-term reliability are strongly influenced by microstructural features, such as porosity, surface topography, phase composition, and interfacial characteristics, as well as by their mechanical behavior under functional loading. Advances in fabrication techniques, including additive manufacturing, surface modification, and biofunctionalization strategies, have enabled the development of increasingly complex and tailored biomaterials. However, a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between microstructure, mechanical properties, and biological response remains essential to ensure predictable clinical outcomes.

This Special Issue will highlight recent advances in the microstructural characterization and mechanical evaluation of implantable biomaterials and scaffolds. We encourage contributions that explore experimental, computational, and multiscale approaches for characterizing material structure and performance, including imaging techniques, mechanical testing, modeling, and in vitro or in vivo validation. Particular attention is given to how microstructural design and mechanical properties influence osseointegration, tissue regeneration, durability, and failure mechanisms in both dental and medical applications.

Original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, and methodological studies are welcome, covering metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite biomaterials, as well as hybrid and bioinspired scaffolds. By bringing together insights from materials science, biomechanics, and clinical research, this Special Issue will promote translational knowledge that supports the rational design and safe clinical implementation of next-generation implantable biomaterials and scaffolds.

Dr. Nicola Valente
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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.