Better Tissue Engineering Materials Through the use of Nanotechnology

Introduction Nanomaterials can be broadly defined as the use materials whose components exhibit significantly changed properties when control is gained at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels [1]. Although various definitions are attached to the word “nanomaterial” by different experts, the commonly accepted concept refers nanomaterials as that material with the basic structural unit in the range 1-100 nm (nanostructured), crystalline solids with grain sizes 1-100 nm (nanocrystals), individual layers or multilayer surface coatings in the range 1-100 nm (nanocoatings), extremely fine powders with an average particle size in the range 1-100 nm (nanopowders) and, fibers with a diameter in the range 1100 nm (nanofibers). Nanostructure science and technology create materials and products that potentially outperform, at several boundaries, existing materials [1]. Assisted by these developments emerges, concurrently, nanotechnology, an endeavor able to work at the molecular level, atom by atom, to create large structures with fundamentally new molecular organizations. Advances in several critical research fields (such as for processing, catalytic, optical, actuation, electrical, mechanical, etc.) have begun to benefit from new technological advancements in the area of nanotechnology [1]. However, to date, relatively few advantages have been elucidated for biological applications (specifically, concerning cell interactions important for implants and/or tissue engineering applications). This review article seeks to demonstrate the promise that nanophase materials have to improve biological applications pertinent for orthopedics.