Most current applications of biomaterials involve structural functions, even in those organs and systems that are not primarily structural in their nature, or very simple chemical or electrical functions. Complex chemical functions, such as those of the liver, and complex electrical or electrochemical functions, such as those of the brain and sense organs, cannot be carried out by biomaterials at this time. With these basic concepts in mind, Biomaterials: Principles and Practices focuses on biomaterials consisting of different materials such as metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite. It highlights the impact of recent advances in the area of nano- and microtechnology on biomaterial design.

• Discusses the biocompatibility of metallic implants and corrosion in an in vivo environment
• Provides a general overview of the relatively bioinert, bioactive or surface-reactive ceramics, and biodegradable or resorbable bioceramics
• Reviews the basic chemical and physical properties of synthetic polymers, the sterilization of the polymeric biomaterials, the importance of the surface treatment for improving biocompatibility, and the application of the chemogradient surface for the study on cell-to-polymer interactions
• Covers the fundamentals of composite materials and their applications in biomaterials
• Highlights commercially significant and successful biomedical biodegradable polymers
• Examines failure modes of different types of implants based on material, location, and function in the body

The book discusses the role of biomaterials as governed by the interaction between the material and the body, specifically, the effect of the body environment on the material and the effect of the material on the body.