The book outlines first the importance of Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM), which is a natural surface for most of cells. In the following chapters the influence of biological, chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of surfaces in micro and nano-scale on stem cell behavior are discussed including the mechanotransduction. Biomimetic and bioinspired approaches are highlighted for developing microenvironment of several tissues, and surface engineering applications are discussed in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and different type of biomaterials in various chapters of the book. This book brings together innovative methodologies and strategies adopted in the research and development of Advanced Surfaces in Stem Cell Research. Well-known worldwide researchers deliberate subjects including: Extracellular matrix proteins for stem cell fate The superficial mechanical and physical properties of matrix microenvironment as stem cell fate regulator Effects of mechanotransduction on stem cell behavior Modulation of stem cells behavior through bioactive surfaces Influence of controlled micro and nanoengineered surfaces on stem cell fate Nanostructured polymeric surfaces for stem cells Laser surface modification techniques and stem cells applications Plasma polymer deposition: a versatile tool for stem cell research Application of bioreactor concept and modeling techniques in bone regeneration and augmentation treatments Substrates and surfaces for control of pluripotent stem cell fate and function Application of biopolymer-based, surface modified devices in transplant medicine and tissue engineering Silk as a natural biopolymer for tissue engineering

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Advance of Polymers Applied to Biomedical Applications: Cell Scaffolds" that was published in Polymers

Recent scientific breakthroughs, celebrity patient advocates, and conflicting religious beliefs have come together to bring the state of stem cell researchâ€"specifically embryonic stem cell researchâ€"into the political crosshairs. President Bush's watershed policy statement allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research but only on a limited number of stem cell lines. Millions of Americans could be affected by the continuing political debate among policymakers and the public. Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine provides a deeper exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of undifferentiated human cells. In terms accessible to lay readers, the book summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells and discusses how to go about the transition from mouse studies to research that has therapeutic implications for people. Perhaps most important, Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells. This timely book compares the impact of public and private research funding and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the book offers authoritative recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal government in this field of research, and other fundamental issues.

The evolution in the nanotechnology world clearly signifies a need for a broader understanding of the subject and this book will contribute to the effort. Nanostructure science and technology is a broad and interdisciplinary area of research and development that has been growing explosively in the past decades. The contents of this book include mainly the fundamentals of nanoparticles, state-of-the-art in synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, as well the influence of nanomaterials on the analytical systems (macro to micro & lab-on-a-chip) for biomedical, environmental and engineering applications. This book seeks to broaden the understanding of modern developments in nanomaterials and comprises excellent contributions from subject matter experts working on most aspects of nanomaterials and nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology has attracted attention of textile and polymer scientists and has been playing extraordinary role over the past few decades in the functional finishing of different textile materials. Nanoparticles due to their diverse functions have not only imparted flame retardant, UV-blocking, water repellent, self-cleaning, and antimicrobial properties to the textiles, but also have greater affinity for fabrics leading to an increase in durability of the functions. This book emphasizes recent approaches and strategies that are currently at operation to functionalize both natural and synthetic textile materials using diverse nanoparticles and their composites with polymers. The book concludes by paying attention towards removal of toxic chemicals using state-of-the-art nano-adsorbents. Main Topics 1. Textile dyeing using metallic nanoparticles 2. Metal oxide nanoparticles for multifunctional finishing 3. New approaches to produce UV protective textiles 4. Polymeric nanocomposites for antimicrobial finishing 5. Self-cleaning of textiles using advanced nanoparticles 6. Silver nanoparticles in dyeing and finishing applications 7. Zinc Oxide – prospects in textile industry 8. Titanium dioxide: Next generation photo-catalysts 9. Textile effluent using chitosan nanocomposites 10. Recent advances in remediation of textile effluents using nano-catalysts

The book highlights applications of hybrid materials in solar energy systems, lithium ion batteries, electromagnetic shielding, sensing of pollutants and water purification. A hybrid material is defined as a material composed of an intimate mixture of inorganic components, organic components, or both types of components. In the last few years, a tremendous amount of attention has been given towards the development of materials for efficient energy harvesting; nanostructured hybrid materials have also been gaining significant advances to provide pollutant free drinking water, sensing of environmental pollutants, energy storage and conservation. Separately, intensive work on high performing polymer nanocomposites for applications in the automotive, aerospace and construction industries has been carried out, but the aggregation of many fillers, such as clay, LDH, CNT, graphene, represented a major barrier in their development. Only very recently has this problem been overcome by fabrication and applications of 3D hybrid nanomaterials as nanofillers in a variety of polymers. This book, Hybrid Nanomaterials, examines all the recent developments in the research and specially covers the following subjects: 3D hybrid nanomaterials nanofillers Hybrid nanostructured materials for development of advanced lithium batteries High performing hybrid nanomaterials for supercapacitor applications Nano-hybrid materials in the development of solar energy applications Application of hybrid nanomaterials in water purification Advanced nanostructured materials in electromagnetic shielding of radiations Preparation, properties and application of hybrid nanomaterials in sensing of environmental pollutants Development of hybrid fillers/polymer nanocomposites for electronic applications High performance hybrid filler reinforced epoxy nanocomposites State-of-the-art overview of elastomer/hybrid filler nanocomposites

At the interface of biology, chemistry, and materials science, this book provides an overview of this vibrant research field, treating the seemingly distinct disciplines in a unified way by adopting the common viewpoint of surface science. The editors, themselves prolific researchers, have assembled here a team of top-notch international scientists who read like a "who's who" of biomaterials science and engineering. They cover topics ranging from micro- and nanostructuring for imparting functionality in a top-down manner to the bottom-up fabrication of gradient surfaces by self-assembly, from interfaces between biomaterials and living matter to smart, stimuli-responsive surfaces, and from cell and surface mechanics to the elucidation of cell-chip interactions in biomedical devices. As a result, the book explains the complex interplay of cell behavior and the physics and materials science of artificial devices. Of equal interest to young, ambitious scientists as well as to experienced researchers.