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Polymers
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Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application
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Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2024) | Viewed by 7563

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Adel Abdel-Wahab

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Interests: finite-element analysis; characterization of biomaterials; bone tissue; stents; deformation and fracture of biomaterials
Prof. Dr. Khamis Essa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Interests: digital manufacturing; advanced manufacturing technologies; biomedical materials; material and process interaction; process and material behaviours; finite-element modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hany Hassanin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Interests: topics related to elastomers; additive manufacturing of polymers; composite materials; 3D printing; 4D printing, and mechanical properties and design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Polymeric biomaterials have been widely used in medicine, made significant impact on biomedical research and medical devices, and played a critical role in improving human health. There is no doubt that they will continue to be the backbone of biomaterials in the twenty-first century. Synthetic and natural polymeric biomaterials are extensively used for scaffolds for tissue regeneration and other biomedical applications. 

Polymeric biomaterials have initially intended to achieve mechanical and structural compatibility and biological inertness. However, the search for ideal polymeric materials for the medical and surgical applications has led to the development of a family of biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric biomaterials. With the growing understanding of the research community of the biological response to current polymeric biomaterials, there is an increased interest in developing tailor-made polymers such as bioactive, biomimetic, and smart polymeric biomaterials. 

With the advances in manufacturing technologies, there is an increased interest in developing complex three-dimensional (3D) polymeric biomaterials using additive-manufacturing for biomedical applications. As a result, polymeric biomaterials that replicate the function, structure and properties of the real human tissues could be realised, tested, and used in clinical applications. 
   
This Special Issue will cover research related to the synthesis and characterisation, biodegradation, biocompatibility, finite-element analysis, mechanical properties of all types of polymeric biomaterials. 

Dr. Adel Abdel-Wahab
Prof. Dr. Khamis Essa
Dr. Hany Hassanin
Guest Editors

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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • polymeric biomaterials
  • numerical modelling
  • mechanical properties
  • biodegradable medical devices
  • modelling and simulations
  • additive manufacturing
  • implants
  • biocompatibility
  • biomimetic polymeric biomaterials
  • bioactive polymeric biomaterials

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2707 KiB  
Article
Optimized Eco-Friendly Foam Materials: A Study on the Effects of Sodium Alginate, Cellulose, and Activated Carbon
by Mehmet Emin Ergün, Rıfat Kurt, Ahmet Can, İsmail Özlüsoylu and Evren Ersoy Kalyoncu
Polymers 2024, 16(17), 2511; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172511 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 813
Abstract
This study focuses on optimizing the physical and mechanical properties of foam materials produced with the addition of sodium alginate as the matrix, and cellulose and activated carbon as fillers. Foam materials, valued for their lightweight and insulation properties, are typically produced from [...] Read more.
This study focuses on optimizing the physical and mechanical properties of foam materials produced with the addition of sodium alginate as the matrix, and cellulose and activated carbon as fillers. Foam materials, valued for their lightweight and insulation properties, are typically produced from synthetic polymers that pose environmental risks. To mitigate these concerns, this study investigates the potential of natural, biodegradable polymers. Various foam formulations were tested to evaluate their density, compression modulus, and thermal conductivity. The results indicated that an increase in activated carbon content enhanced thermal stability, as indicated by higher Ti% and Tmax% values. Additionally, a higher concentration of sodium alginate and activated carbon resulted in higher foam density and compressive modulus, while cellulose exhibited a more intricate role in the material’s behavior. In the optimal formula, where the sum of the component percentages totals 7.6%, the percentages (e.g., 0.5% sodium alginate, 5% cellulose, and 2.1% activated carbon) are calculated based on the weight/volume (w/v) ratio of each component in the water used to prepare the foam mixture. These results indicate that natural and biodegradable polymers can be used to develop high-performance, eco-friendly foam materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application)
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12 pages, 2643 KiB  
Article
Anti-Metastatic Effects of Standardized Polysaccharide Fraction from Diospyros kaki Leaves via GSK3β/β-Catenin and JNK Inactivation in Human Colon Cancer Cells
by Woo-Seok Lee, Ji-Sun Shin, Seo-Yun Jang, Kyung-Sook Chung, Soo-Dong Kim, Chang-Won Cho, Hee-Do Hong, Young Kyoung Rhee and Kyung-Tae Lee
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1275; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091275 - 3 May 2024
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
A polysaccharide fraction from Diospyros kaki (PLE0) leaves was previously reported to possess immunostimulatory, anti-osteoporotic, and TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition inhibitory activities. Although a few beneficial effects against colon cancer metastasis have been reported, we aimed to investigate the anti-metastatic activity of PLE0 and [...] Read more.
A polysaccharide fraction from Diospyros kaki (PLE0) leaves was previously reported to possess immunostimulatory, anti-osteoporotic, and TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition inhibitory activities. Although a few beneficial effects against colon cancer metastasis have been reported, we aimed to investigate the anti-metastatic activity of PLE0 and its underlying molecular mechanisms in HT-29 and HCT-116 human colon cancer cells. We conducted a wound-healing assay, invasion assay, qRT-PCR analysis, western blot analysis, gelatin zymography, luciferase assay, and small interfering RNA gene silencing in colon cancer cells. PLE0 concentration-dependently inhibited metastasis by suppressing cell migration and invasion. The suppression of N-cadherin and vimentin expression as well as upregulation of E-cadherin through the reduction of p-GSK3β and β-catenin levels resulted in the outcome of this effect. PLE0 also suppressed the expression and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, while simultaneously increasing the protein and mRNA levels of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1). Furthermore, signaling data disclosed that PLE0 suppressed the transcriptional activity and phosphorylation of p65 (a subunit of NF-κB), as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun and c-Fos (subunits of AP-1) pathway. PLE0 markedly suppressed JNK phosphorylation, and JNK knockdown significantly restored PLE0-regulated MMP-2/-9 and TIMP-1 expression. Collectively, our data indicate that PLE0 exerts an anti-metastatic effect in human colon cancer cells by inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition and MMP-2/9 via downregulation of GSK3β/β-catenin and JNK signaling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application)
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17 pages, 2880 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Alginate Hydrogels as Possible Wound-Healing Patches: The Synergistic Impact of Reduced Graphene Oxide and Tannins on Mechanical and Adhesive Properties
by Sebastián Carrasco, Luisbel González, Mauricio Tapia, Bruno F. Urbano, Claudio Aguayo and Katherina Fernández
Polymers 2024, 16(8), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16081081 - 12 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked materials known for their ability to absorb water, exhibit high flexibility, their biodegradability and biocompatibility, and their ability to mimic properties of different tissues in the body. However, their application is limited by inherent deficiencies in their mechanical properties. [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked materials known for their ability to absorb water, exhibit high flexibility, their biodegradability and biocompatibility, and their ability to mimic properties of different tissues in the body. However, their application is limited by inherent deficiencies in their mechanical properties. To address this issue, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and tannins (TA) were incorporated into alginate hydrogels (Alg) to evaluate the impact of the concentration of these nanomaterials on mechanical and adhesive, as well as cytotoxicity and wound-healing properties. Tensile mechanical tests demonstrated improvements in tensile strength, elastic modulus, and toughness upon the incorporation of rGO and TA. Additionally, the inclusion of these materials allowed for a greater energy dissipation during continuous charge–discharge cycles. However, the samples did not exhibit self-recovery under environmental conditions. Adhesion was evaluated on pig skin, revealing that higher concentrations of rGO led to enhanced adhesion, while the concentration of TA did not significantly affect this property. Moreover, adhesion remained consistent after 10 adhesion cycles, and the contact time before the separation between the material and the surface did not affect this property. The materials were not cytotoxic and promoted healing in human fibroblast-model cells. Thus, an Alg/rGO/TA hydrogel with enhanced mechanical, adhesive, and wound-healing properties was successfully developed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application)
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16 pages, 2651 KiB  
Article
Modeling Xanthan Gum Foam’s Material Properties Using Machine Learning Methods
by Halime Ergün and Mehmet Emin Ergün
Polymers 2024, 16(6), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16060740 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1742
Abstract
Xanthan gum is commonly used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. However, there have been no studies on utilizing this natural biopolymer as a foam material in the insulation and packaging sectors, which are large markets, or modeling it using an artificial [...] Read more.
Xanthan gum is commonly used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. However, there have been no studies on utilizing this natural biopolymer as a foam material in the insulation and packaging sectors, which are large markets, or modeling it using an artificial neural network. In this study, foam material production was carried out in an oven using different ratios of cellulose fiber and xanthan gum in a 5% citric acid medium. As a result of the physical and mechanical experiments conducted, it was determined that xanthan gum had a greater impact on the properties of the foam material than cellulose. The densities of the produced foam materials ranged from 49.42 kg/m3 to 172.2 kg/m3. In addition, the compressive and flexural moduli were found to vary between 235.25 KPa and 1257.52 KPa and between 1939.76 KPa and 12,736.39 KPa, respectively. Five machine-learning-based methods (multiple linear regression, support vector machines, artificial neural networks, least squares methods, and generalized regression neural networks) were utilized to analyze the effects of the components used in the foam formulation. These models yielded accurate results without time, material, or cost losses, making the process more efficient. The models predicted the best results for density, compression modulus, and flexural modulus achieved in the experimental tests. The generalized regression neural network model yielded impressive results, with R2 values above 0.97, enabling the acquisition of more quantitative data with fewer experimental results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application)
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20 pages, 13395 KiB  
Article
Designing Lightweight 3D-Printable Bioinspired Structures for Enhanced Compression and Energy Absorption Properties
by Akhil Harish, Naser A. Alsaleh, Mahmoud Ahmadein, Abdullah A. Elfar, Joy Djuansjah, Hany Hassanin, Mahmoud Ahmed El-Sayed and Khamis Essa
Polymers 2024, 16(6), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16060729 - 7 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1432
Abstract
Recent progress in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has offered several benefits, including high geometrical freedom and the ability to create bioinspired structures with intricate details. Mantis shrimp can scrape the shells of prey molluscs with its hammer-shaped stick, while beetles [...] Read more.
Recent progress in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has offered several benefits, including high geometrical freedom and the ability to create bioinspired structures with intricate details. Mantis shrimp can scrape the shells of prey molluscs with its hammer-shaped stick, while beetles have highly adapted forewings that are lightweight, tough, and strong. This paper introduces a design approach for bioinspired lattice structures by mimicking the internal microstructures of a beetle’s forewing, a mantis shrimp’s shell, and a mantis shrimp’s dactyl club, with improved mechanical properties. Finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental characterisation of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) samples with bioinspired structures were performed to determine their compression and impact properties. The results showed that designing a bioinspired lattice with unit cells parallel to the load direction improved quasi-static compressive performance, among other lattice structures. The gyroid honeycomb lattice design of the insect forewings and mantis shrimp dactyl clubs outperformed the gyroid honeycomb design of the mantis shrimp shell, with improvements in ultimate mechanical strength, Young’s modulus, and drop weight impact. On the other hand, hybrid designs created by merging two different designs reduced bending deformation to control collapse during drop weight impact. This work holds promise for the development of bioinspired lattices employing designs with improved properties, which can have potential implications for lightweight high-performance applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Biomaterials: Characterization and Application)
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