biomaterials
Body-compatible synthetic materials
Biomaterials are substances engineered to interact with biological systems for medical purposes.
They include metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites used in implants, prosthetics, drug delivery systems, and tissue scaffolds: The hip replacement uses biomaterials designed to integrate with bone.
The field spans everything from dissolvable sutures to artificial heart valves.
Manufactured replacement body part
- stentImplanted tube for blockages
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- graftIllicit political gain
hip · dental · orthopedic · valve · mesh · intraocular · spinal · joint
Structural body protein
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- alginateSeaweed-derived gelling agent
- keratinStructural hair protein
elastin · silk · fibrin · hyaluronic · pectin · gelatin · wool · cotton
Harmlessness to living systems
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- bioprintingDepositing living cells mechanically
bioreactor · porosity · degradation · sterilization · crosslinking · encapsulation
Disposable soft paper
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- matrixOrdered numerical arrangement
- cellularComposed of small units
- transplantationSurgical organ relocation
absorbable · bioactive · vascularization · differentiation · proliferation · extracellular · remodeling · autograft
Water-swollen polymer structure
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- thermoplasticsPlastics remoldable by heating
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- bioplasticPlant-derived synthetic material
polyurethane · silicone · nanofibers · composite · ceramic · titanium · zirconia · nitinol
Able to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- renewableCapable of restoration
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- biobasedFrom living organisms
recyclable · life-cycle · sustainable · carbon-neutral · mycelium · seaweed · plant-derived · low-impact
Physics applied to life
- genomicsStudy of entire genetic sequences
- bioinformaticsComputational analysis of genetic data
- pharmacogenomicsGene-based drug response study
- biomimicryDesign imitating natural systems
prosthesis
Manufactured replacement body part
- stentImplanted tube for blockages
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
graft · hip · dental · orthopedic · valve · mesh · intraocular · spinal · joint · plate
collagen
Structural body protein
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- alginateSeaweed-derived gelling agent
keratin · elastin · silk · fibrin · hyaluronic · pectin · gelatin · wool · cotton · hemp
biocompatibility
Harmlessness to living systems
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
bioprinting · bioreactor · porosity · degradation · sterilization · crosslinking · encapsulation
tissue
Disposable soft paper
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- matrixOrdered numerical arrangement
- cellularComposed of small units
transplantation · absorbable · bioactive · vascularization · differentiation · proliferation · extracellular · remodeling · autograft · allograft
hydrogel
Water-swollen polymer structure
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- thermoplasticsPlastics remoldable by heating
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
bioplastic · polyurethane · silicone · nanofibers · composite · ceramic · titanium · zirconia · nitinol · PGA
biodegradable
Able to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- renewableCapable of restoration
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
biobased · recyclable · life-cycle · sustainable · carbon-neutral · mycelium · seaweed · plant-derived · low-impact
biophysics
Physics applied to life
- genomicsStudy of entire genetic sequences
- bioinformaticsComputational analysis of genetic data
- pharmacogenomicsGene-based drug response study
biomimicry · characterization · in-vitro · cytotoxicity · bioassay
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- Biomedicineanatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, immunology
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- Biomimicrydragonfly wings, butterfly wing, structural color, honeycomb structures, honeycomb structure
- materials sciencealloys, metallurgy, metals, ceramics, polymers
- advanced materialsgraphene, carbon nanotubes, Kevlar, superalloys, titanium alloy