Biomaterials

Titanium is a chemical element; it has symbol Ti and atomic number 22. Found in nature only as an oxide, it can be reduced to produce a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength that is resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine.

Tantalum is a chemical element; it has symbol Ta and atomic number 73. It is named after Tantalus, a figure in Greek mythology. Tantalum is a very hard, ductile, lustrous, blue-gray transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. It is part of the refractory metals group, which are widely used as components of strong high-melting-point alloys. It is a group 5 element, along with vanadium and niobium, and it always occurs in geologic sources together with the chemically similar niobium, mainly in the mineral groups tantalite, columbite, and coltan.

thumb|Raw silk of domesticated silk worms, showing its natural shine|360x360px Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven or knitted into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin (75-80%) and a smaller coating of sericin (20-25%). It is most commonly produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori, which are reared in captivity (sericulture). The shimmery appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fiber, which c

chromium-containing steel alloy resistant to corrosion

chemical compound

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, and has numerous applications because it is chemically inert. The commonly known brand name of PTFE-based composition is Teflon by Chemours, a spin-off from DuPont, which originally invented the compound in 1938.

type of polyester commonly used for bottles and clothing

transparent thermoplastic, commonly called acrylic

Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by the cells of living organisms. Like other polymers, biopolymers consist of monomeric units that are covalently bonded in chains to form larger molecules. There are three main classes of biopolymers, classified according to the monomers used and the structure of the biopolymer formed: polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polysaccharides. The polynucleotides, RNA and DNA, are long polymers of nucleotides. Polypeptides include proteins and shorter polymers of amino acids; some major examples include collagen, actin, and fibrin. Polysaccharides are linear

thumb|Hydroxyapatite thumb|Needle-like hydroxyapatite crystals on stainless steel. Scanning electron microscope picture from [[University of Tartu.]] thumb|Nanoscale coating of Ca-HAp, image taken with Scanning probe microscopy|scanning probe microscope thumbnail|right|A 3D visualization of half of a hydroxyapatite unit cell, from x-ray crystallography Hydroxyapatite (IMA name: hydroxylapatite) (Hap, HAp, or HA) is a naturally occurring mineral form of apatite with the formula , often written to denote that the crystal unit cell comprises two entities. It is the hydroxyl endmember of the compl

chemical compound

chemical compound Ca₃P₂O₈

thumb|200x200px|Thick elastic fibers consisting of bundles of elastin in the human lung Elastin is a protein encoded by the ELN gene in humans and several other animals. Elastin is a key component in the extracellular matrix of gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates). It is highly elastic and present in connective tissue of the body to resume its shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin return to its original position whence poked or pinched. Elastin is also in important load-bearing tissue of vertebrates and used in places where storage of mechanical energy is required.

filament material produced by spiders

A hip implant is an example of an application of biomaterials|thumb|right A biomaterial is a substance that has been engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose – either a therapeutic (treat, augment, repair, or replace a tissue function of the body) or a diagnostic one. The corresponding field of study is called biomaterials science or biomaterials engineering. It has experienced steady growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chem

polymer

metal alloy of nickel and titanium, where the two elements are present in roughly equal atomic percentages

biomaterials 3D printing

right|frameless

thumb|right|Chemical structure of Kapton, a polyimide. Polyimide (sometimes abbreviated PI) is a polymer containing imide groups belonging to the class of high-performance plastics. With their high heat-resistance, polyimides enjoy diverse applications in roles demanding rugged organic materials, such as high temperature fuel cells, displays, and various military roles. A classic polyimide is Kapton, which is produced by condensation of pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4'-oxydianiline.

non-reactive thermoplastic fluoropolymer

thumb|right|200px|Structure of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (Polyhydroxybutyrate|P3HB), a polyhydroxyalkanoate thumb|400px|right|Chemical structures of P3HB, PHV and their copolymer PHBV

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), also known as dimethylpolysiloxane or dimethicone, is a silicone polymer with a wide variety of uses, from cosmetics to industrial lubrication and passive daytime radiative cooling.

material consisting of pockets of gas in a metallic matrix

Polyglycolide or poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), also spelled as polyglycolic acid, is a biodegradable, thermoplastic polymer and the simplest linear, aliphatic polyester. It can be prepared starting from glycolic acid by means of polycondensation or ring-opening polymerization. PGA has been known since 1954 as a tough fiber-forming polymer. Owing to its hydrolytic instability, however, its use was slow to develop. Polyglycolide and its copolymers (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with lactic acid, poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) with ε-caprolactone and poly (glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) with

Vitallium is an alloy of 65% cobalt, 30% chromium, 5% molybdenum, and other substances. The alloy is used in dentistry and artificial joints, because of its resistance to corrosion. It is also used for components of turbochargers because of its thermal resistance. Vitallium was developed by Albert W. Merrick for the Austenal Laboratories in 1932. thumb|Subperiosteal maxillary implant made of Vitallium 1977

any elastomer that can be melted

Nanocellulose is a term referring to a family of cellulosic materials that have at least one of their dimensions in the nanoscale. Examples of nanocellulosic materials are microfibrilated cellulose, cellulose nanofibers or cellulose nanocrystals. Nanocellulose may be obtained from natural cellulose fibers through a variety of production processes. This family of materials possesses interesting properties suitable for a wide range of potential applications.

thumb|270px|White sands test sample, owned by Thermashield, LLC

material engineered to automatically repair physical damage without any human intervention

thumb|300px|A porous bioceramic granule of an orthobiologic calcium composition manufactured by Cam Bioceramics Bioceramics and bioglasses are ceramic materials that are biocompatible. Bioceramics are an important subset of biomaterials. Bioceramics range in biocompatibility from the ceramic oxides, which are inert in the body, to the other extreme of resorbable materials, which are eventually replaced by the body after they have assisted repair. Bioceramics are used in many types of medical procedures. Bioceramics are typically used as rigid materials in surgical implants, though some biocera

surface reactive glass-ceramic biomaterial

type of steel

poly(p-dioxanone) structure|thumb|right Polydioxanone (PDO, PDS) or 'poly-p-dioxanone' is a colorless, crystalline, biodegradable synthetic polymer.

encapsulation of cells into semi-permeable microcapsules or microspheres

relevance of metallic elements in biomedical contexts

adhesives used to fix prosthetic devices to bones and to cement bone to bone in difficult fractures

uses of silver to establish the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease

materials made by techniques imitating biological processes

substance used to control bleeding