The Application of Nanotechnology in Biomechanical Systems: Recent Developments

Nanotechnology which involves handling with materials at very small dimensions (10-9m) has wide applications in engineering branches. It can improve the physical and chemical properties of the system. Thus it has many applications such as solar desalination [1] and many others. Current researches are trying to involve these substances in biomechanical engineering systems. For example one of important properties in biomechanical systems is viscoelasticity of cells that are surrounded by the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is complex network of glycosaminoglycan, proteins, and fibers [2] that provide biochemical and biomechanical cues that are critical for the regulation of cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, morphology, and gene expression so the ECM is vital for soft tissue biomechanics. Cell response to stiffness as well has contributed to the behavior of cell mechano-transduction, designating substrate elasticity as a major determinant in the regulation of Pathophysiological cell behavior and function [3,4].