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J. Compos. Sci.
Special Issues
Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites
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Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 21192

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Siu Hong Dexter Wong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: nanocomposite hydrogel; stimuli-responsive nanomaterials; substrate surface engineering; advanced biomaterials; nano-bio exploration
Dr. Wang Yi

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
Interests: stimuli-responsive nanomaterials; stimuli-responsive hydrogel; nanodiagnostic materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in nanotechnology have empowered the design of biomedicine, biosensing, and biomedical engineering. To address the current clinical problems, researchers have been centering on developing next-generation nanocomposites/nanobiomaterials that combine unprecedented mechanical properties, biological functions, and translational capacity.

In recent years, the use of nanoparticles has been trending in the research community in physics, materials science, and biomedical applications. In many areas of chemistry, inorganic/organic, polymeric nanoparticles, and hybrid nanomaterials with unique dynamic properties have been intensively explored. Their unique properties accelerate the development of advanced drug delivery systems, bio-sensing and -imaging, and other relevant biomedical applications.

This Special Issue will address all areas of micro/nanocomposites, e.g., manufacturing, characterization, and biomedical applications through advanced nanotechnology.

Dr. Siu Hong Dexter Wong
Dr. Wang Yi
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Journal of Composites Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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.

Keywords

  • Micro/nanocomposites
  • Optical properties
  • Mechanical properties
  • Biological properties
  • Stimuli-responsive
  • Biomaterials
  • Drug delivery
  • Bioactivity
  • Dynamic materials
  • Micro/nanosensor
  • Advanced synthesis
  • Nanostructures
  • Biosensing
  • Bioimaging and regenerative medicine

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 31971 KiB  
Article
Computational Investigation of the Mechanical Response of a Bioinspired Nacre-like Nanocomposite under Three-Point Bending
by Xingzi Yang, Md Jalal Uddin Rumi and Xiaowei Zeng
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(5), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8050173 - 7 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
Natural biological nanocomposites, like nacre, demonstrate extraordinary fracture toughness, surpassing their base materials, attributed to their intricate staggered hierarchical architectures integrating hard and soft phases. The enhancement of toughness in these composites is often linked to the crack-deflection mechanism. Leveraging the core design [...] Read more.
Natural biological nanocomposites, like nacre, demonstrate extraordinary fracture toughness, surpassing their base materials, attributed to their intricate staggered hierarchical architectures integrating hard and soft phases. The enhancement of toughness in these composites is often linked to the crack-deflection mechanism. Leveraging the core design principles that enhance durability, resilience, and robustness in organic materials, this paper describes the use of computational modeling and simulation to perform a three-point bending test on a 3D staggered nanocomposite intentionally crafted to mimic the detailed microstructure of nacre. We adopted a previously proposed interfacial zone model that conceptualizes the “relatively soft” layer as an interface between the “hard” mineral tablets and the microstructure’s interlayer spaces to examine how the microstructure and interface characteristics affect the mechanical responses and failure mechanisms. By comparing the model’s predictions with experimental data on natural nacre, the simulations unveil the mechanisms of tablet separation through adjacent layer sliding and crack deflection across interfacial zones. This study offers a robust numerical method for investigating the fracture toughening mechanisms and damage evolution and contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplays within biomimetic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites)
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11 pages, 3254 KiB  
Article
Integrating Soft Hydrogel with Nanostructures Reinforces Stem Cell Adhesion and Differentiation
by Bohan Yin, Hongrong Yang and Mo Yang
J. Compos. Sci. 2022, 6(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6010019 - 6 Jan 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2684
Abstract
Biophysical cues can regulate stem cell behaviours and have been considered as critical parameters of synthetic biomaterials for tissue engineering. In particular, hydrogels have been utilized as promising biomimetic and biocompatible materials to emulate the microenvironment. Therefore, well-defined mechanical properties of a hydrogel [...] Read more.
Biophysical cues can regulate stem cell behaviours and have been considered as critical parameters of synthetic biomaterials for tissue engineering. In particular, hydrogels have been utilized as promising biomimetic and biocompatible materials to emulate the microenvironment. Therefore, well-defined mechanical properties of a hydrogel are important to direct desirable phenotypes of cells. Yet, limited research pays attention to engineering soft hydrogel with improved cell adhesive property, which is crucial for stem cell differentiation. Herein, we introduce silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) onto the surface of methacrylated hyaluronic (MeHA) hydrogel to manipulate the presentation of cell adhesive ligands (RGD) clusters, while remaining similar bulk mechanical properties (2.79 ± 0.31 kPa) to that of MeHA hydrogel (3.08 ± 0.68 kPa). RGD peptides are either randomly decorated in the MeHA hydrogel network or on the immobilized SiO2 NPs (forming MeHA–SiO2). Our results showed that human mesenchymal stem cells exhibited a ~1.3-fold increase in the percentage of initial cell attachment, a ~2-fold increase in cell spreading area, and enhanced expressions of early-stage osteogenic markers (RUNX2 and alkaline phosphatase) for cells undergoing osteogenic differentiation with the osteogenic medium on MeHA–SiO2 hydrogel, compared to those cultured on MeHA hydrogel. Importantly, the cells cultivated on MeHA–SiO2 expressed a ~5-fold increase in nuclear localization ratio of the yes-associated protein, which is known to be mechanosensory in stem cells, compared to the cells cultured on MeHA hydrogel, thereby promoting osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. These findings demonstrate the potential use of nanomaterials into a soft polymeric matrix for enhanced cell adhesion and provide valuable guidance for the rational design of biomaterials for implantation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites)
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Review

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24 pages, 2099 KiB  
Review
An Overview of Enhancing the Performance of Medical Implants with Nanocomposites
by Maziar Ramezani and Zaidi Mohd Ripin
J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7(5), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7050199 - 15 May 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4112
Abstract
Medical implants are essential tools for treating chronic illnesses, restoring physical function, and improving the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide. However, implant failures due to infection, mechanical wear, corrosion, and tissue rejection continue to be a major challenge. Nanocomposites, composed [...] Read more.
Medical implants are essential tools for treating chronic illnesses, restoring physical function, and improving the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide. However, implant failures due to infection, mechanical wear, corrosion, and tissue rejection continue to be a major challenge. Nanocomposites, composed of nanoparticles or nanofillers dispersed in a matrix material, have shown promising results in enhancing implant performance. This paper provides an overview of the current state of research on the use of nanocomposites for medical implants. We discuss the types of nanocomposites being developed, including polymer-, metal-, and ceramic-based materials, and their advantages/disadvantages for medical implant applications. Strategies for improving implant performance using nanocomposites, such as improving biocompatibility and mechanical properties and reducing wear and corrosion, are also examined. Challenges to the widespread use of nanocomposites in medical implants are discussed, such as biocompatibility, toxicity, long-term stability, standardisation, and quality control. Finally, we discuss future directions for research, including the use of advanced fabrication techniques and the development of novel nanocomposite materials. The use of nanocomposites in medical implants has the potential to improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare, but continued research and development will be required to overcome the challenges associated with their use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites)
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15 pages, 3817 KiB  
Review
Biomimetic Hierarchical Nanocomposite Hydrogels: From Design to Biomedical Applications
by Zhi Yao, Jiankun Xu, Jun Shen, Ling Qin and Weihao Yuan
J. Compos. Sci. 2022, 6(11), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6110340 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2328
Abstract
Natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is highly heterogeneous and anisotropic due to the existence of biomacromolecule bundles and pores. Hydrogels have been proposed as ideal carriers for therapeutic cells and drugs in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, most of the homogeneous and isotropic [...] Read more.
Natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is highly heterogeneous and anisotropic due to the existence of biomacromolecule bundles and pores. Hydrogels have been proposed as ideal carriers for therapeutic cells and drugs in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, most of the homogeneous and isotropic hydrogels cannot fully emulate the hierarchical properties of natural ECM, including the dynamically spatiotemporal distributions of biochemical and biomechanical signals. Biomimetic hierarchical nanocomposite hydrogels have emerged as potential candidates to better recapitulate natural ECM by introducing various nanostructures, such as nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanofibers. Moreover, the nanostructures in nanocomposite hydrogels can be engineered as stimuli-responsive actuators to realize the desirable control of hydrogel properties, thereby manipulating the behaviors of the encapsulated cells upon appropriate external stimuli. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the main strategies to construct biomimetic hierarchical nanocomposite hydrogels with an emphasis on the rational design of local hydrogel properties and their stimuli-responsibility. We then highlight cell fate decisions in engineered nanocomposite niches and their recent development and challenges in biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites)
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38 pages, 6732 KiB  
Review
Polymer–Metal Composite Healthcare Materials: From Nano to Device Scale
by Wai-Ki Wong, Chun-Him Nathanael Lai, Wai-Yin Cheng, Lok-Him Tung, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang and Franco King-Chi Leung
J. Compos. Sci. 2022, 6(8), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6080218 - 26 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4809
Abstract
Metals have been investigated as biomaterials for a wide range of medical applications. At nanoscale, some metals, such as gold nanoparticles, exhibit plasmonics, which have motivated researchers’ focus on biosensor development. At the device level, some metals, such as titanium, exhibit good physical [...] Read more.
Metals have been investigated as biomaterials for a wide range of medical applications. At nanoscale, some metals, such as gold nanoparticles, exhibit plasmonics, which have motivated researchers’ focus on biosensor development. At the device level, some metals, such as titanium, exhibit good physical properties, which could allow them to act as biomedical implants for physical support. Despite these attractive features, the non-specific delivery of metallic nanoparticles and poor tissue–device compatibility have greatly limited their performance. This review aims to illustrate the interplay between polymers and metals, and to highlight the pivotal role of polymer–metal composite/nanocomposite healthcare materials in different biomedical applications. Here, we revisit the recent plasmonic engineered platforms for biomolecules detection in cell-free samples and highlight updated nanocomposite design for (1) intracellular RNA detection, (2) photothermal therapy, and (3) nanomedicine for neurodegenerative diseases, as selected significant live cell–interactive biomedical applications. At the device scale, the rational design of polymer–metallic medical devices is of importance for dental and cardiovascular implantation to overcome the poor physical load transfer between tissues and devices, as well as implant compatibility under a dynamic fluidic environment, respectively. Finally, we conclude the treatment of these innovative polymer–metal biomedical composite designs and provide a future perspective on the aforementioned research areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites)
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28 pages, 4397 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanocomposites Biosensors for Virus Detection before and during COVID-19 Outbreak
by Ching Ying Katherine Lam, Qin Zhang, Bohan Yin, Yingying Huang, Hui Wang, Mo Yang and Siu Hong Dexter Wong
J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(7), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5070190 - 18 Jul 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4680
Abstract
The deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has become one of the most challenging pandemics in the last century. Clinical diagnosis reports a high infection rate within a large population and a rapid mutation rate upon every individual infection. The [...] Read more.
The deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has become one of the most challenging pandemics in the last century. Clinical diagnosis reports a high infection rate within a large population and a rapid mutation rate upon every individual infection. The polymerase chain reaction has been a powerful and gold standard molecular diagnostic technique over the past few decades and hence a promising tool to detect the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid sequences. However, it can be costly and involved in complicated processes with a high demand for on-site tests. This pandemic emphasizes the critical need for designing cost-effective and fast diagnosis strategies to prevent a potential viral source by ultrasensitive and selective biosensors. Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanocomposites have been developed with unique physical and chemical properties crucial for building up nucleic acid and protein biosensors. In this review, we cover various types of 2D TMD biosensors available for virus detection via the mechanisms of photoluminescence/optical, field-effect transistor, surface plasmon resonance, and electrochemical signals. We summarize the current state-of-the-art applications of 2D TMD nanocomposite systems for sensing proteins/nucleic acid from different types of lethal viruses. Finally, we identify and discuss the advantages and limitations of TMD-based nanocomposites biosensors for viral recognition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manufacturing, Characterization and Biomedical Applications of Advanced Micro/Nanocomposites)
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