Biomedical polymer nanofibers for emerging technology

Abstract

Nanofibers have been of great interest in the recent years, because of its huge potential to diverse fields, especially in biomedical applications. The most favorable feature is the dimension of nanofibers that resembles that of the natural collagen fibrils in nano scale. They thus provide extremely large surface area to volume ratio as compared to microfibers. Electrospinning is the most preferred method in producing nanofibers from polymers. In this chapter, an overview of polymer nanofibers is stated, specifically focusing on the electrospun nanofibers used in biomedical applications. Along with a brief description of history, principle, and operating parameters of electrospinning process, examples of specific functionalities are introduced through bulk and surface modifications of nanofibers. In addition, a broad range of biomedical application includes tissue-engineered scaffolds, wound dressings, medical device and implants, controlled drug release, and other applications in biosensor, biocatalyst, and bioenzyme. With the rapidly growing demand nanofibers should find its enormous potential for the future development of nanoscience and biomedicine. ？ 2009 Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg.