Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications (eBook)

Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications

The twenty chapters written by experts in the field of biopolymers and biomedical engineering, provide a complete resource that systematically discusses the most widely used biopolymers and their biomedical applications, and presents all the important research and developments that have occurred in the field.

In recent decades, significant progress has been made in polymer science for biomedical applications. The use of biopolymers specifically attracted the focus on the development of therapeutic polymeric systems. The exclusive features of biopolymers, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility make them highly sought after, and major research conducted with them has resulted in various therapeutic systems. However, until now only a few showed a potential to be appropriate for human use.

Each chapter covers a single biopolymer, its properties, and biomedical applications. The chapters are arranged systematically, with the most common biopolymers discussed early in the book to give more insight into the field. Further, a specific chapter is dedicated to the application of biopolymers for wound healing. Later, specific chapters are dedicated to the application of bioplastics and biopolymers for the development of medical devices and biosensors, respectively. Additionally, a chapter is dedicated to the application of biopolymers in the field of dentistry, with a special focus on their risk to human health. Keeping in mind recent advanced technologies, a chapter is dedicated solely to the latest progress of biopolymers in 3D and 4D printing for biomedical applications. The final chapter comprehensively explains the future perspectives of biopolymers in the biomedical field.

Audience

The book is a reference source for scientists, research scholars, chemical and polymer engineers, biologists, biotechnologists, polymer technologists, industrialists, health experts, and policymakers.