Morphological Surface Characterization of Nano-Structured Inorganic and Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Application

Author(s): Barbara Palazzo, Ismaela Foltran and Dominic Walsh

Pp: 173-206 (34)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Control of surface morphology impacts greatly upon the performance of nano-structured devices. This is particularly true in the case of biomaterials and medical devices, because cell responses are highly affected by topography. This chapter describes some of the most up to date microscopy principles and methods, offering a flavor of the broad range in which AFM, SEM and TEM techniques have impacted upon advances in understanding. Additionally, some applied examples of biomedical materials surface characterizations are described in order to point the way to gain useful information about the interaction between biomaterials and biological systems.

Keywords: Biomaterials, nanostructured devices, atomic Force Microscopy, Electron Microscopy, nanofibers, nano-hydroxyapatite, collagen.

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