This handbook describes several current trends in the development of bioceramics and biocomposites for clinical use in the repair, remodelling, and regeneration of bone tissue. Comprehensive coverage of these materials allows fundamental aspects of the science and engineering to be seen in close relation to the clinical performance of dental and orthopaedic implants. Bioceramics and biocomposites appear to be the most dynamic area of materials development for both tissue engineering and implantable medical devices. Almost all medical specialties will continue to benefit from these developments, but especially dentistry and orthopaedics. In this Handbook, leading researchers describe the use of bionanomaterials to create new functionalities when interfaced with biological molecules or structures. Also described are technologies for bioceramics and biocomposites processing in order to fabricate medical devices for clinical use. Another important section of the book is dedicated to tissue regeneration with development of new matrices. A targeted or personalized treatment device reduces drug consumption and treatment expenses, resulting in benefits to the patient and cost reductions for public health systems.
This authoritative reference on the state-of-the-art in the development and use of bioceramics and biocomposites can also serve as the basis of instructional course lectures for audiences ranging from advanced undergraduate students to post-graduates in materials science and engineering and biomedical engineering.
About the Author: Iulian Antoniac holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University Politehnica of Bucharest. He also has two Master degrees, one from the Department of Advanced Procedures for Developing Special Alloys and the other from the Department of Fine Structure of Materials Research, both from University Politehnica of Bucharest. Dr. Antoniac is currently Vice President and a founding member of the Council of the Romanian Society for Biomaterials (SRB). He is the Head of the Biomaterials Group (BIOMAT) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Department of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest (2005-present). He is also the Head of the Interface Phenomenon Laboratory, Faculty Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania.
At BIOMAT, he has worked on metallic biomaterials used for different orthopedic and dental applications, such as hip prostheses, implants for trauma, dental prostheses. Since 2005, Iulian Antoniac has been associated with the Biomaterials program in the Faculty of Medical Engineering, which is focused on tissue engineering, scaffolds characterization, medical image processing and the development of new implants for medical applications. Dr. Antoniac has published widely, with over 30 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, 140 papers published in the proceedings of conferences, and contributed to and edited several books. In 2005, he received the Daniel Bunea Award from the Romanian Society for Biomaterials.
Dr. Antoniac's research interests include: Microscopy for materials characterization, Metallic biomaterials for orthopedic application, Retrieval analysis of explants, Bone regeneration, Physical and chemical characterization of nano- and micro- particles for biomedical application, Biodegradable biomaterials. Present areas of research work: metallic biomaterials, surface modification, tissue engineering, biocomposites, scaffolds, interaction tissue-biomaterials, biointerfaces, retrieval analysis of explants, bone regeneration, magnetic nanoparticles.