Hydrogels - Biological Properties and Applications (Paperback, 2009 ed.)

Hydrogels are a particular class of compounds of which the major constituent is wa- ter. In fact, water is present in the hydrogel up to 90% and is contained in a scaffold which is generally polymeric and obviously hydrophilic. As a result, hydrogels re- semble each other even though obtained from different polymers. Nevertheless, the polymeric matrix gives particular characteristics to the hydrogel leading to applica- tions in different fields. Water is the main element of the human body, thus hydrogels are excellent struc- tures to favourably shelter proteins, cells etc. , without altering their characteristics and properties. This is why hydrogels are mainly designed and synthesized for their usein thebiologicalfield;hence the name biohydrogels. Their propertiespoint totheir use as scaffolds for stem cells which has turned out to be a very promising technique for tissue and organ regeneration. For this reason their investigation falls within the Biomaterials Science. Paradoxically, the conceptual simplicity of hydrogelsupto nowhas led to a super- ficialstudy of their chemistry, chemical physics and mechanics preventing their wider application in the human body due to a lack of knowledge of biological component interactions. For example, it is not clear, yet, how to store hydrogels without alter- ing their characteristics. In fact, hydrogels re-hydrated after lyophylization or oven drying, generally show corrupted properties once swollen in water, in comparison with their native counterparts.

General

Imprint:	Springer-Verlag
Country of origin:	Italy
Release date:	December 2014
First published:	2009
Editors:	Rolando Barbucci
Dimensions:	235 x 155 x 11mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	197
Edition:	2009 ed.
ISBN-13:	978-88-470-5611-4
Categories:	Books > Science & Mathematics > Chemistry > General Books > Professional & Technical > Biochemical engineering > General Books > Professional & Technical > Industrial chemistry & manufacturing technologies > Industrial chemistry > General Books > Professional & Technical > Mechanical engineering & materials > Materials science > General Promotions
LSN:	88-470-5611-X
Barcode:	9788847056114

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