BOOKS & MEDIA

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MAY 2011 | VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 5230

Biomaterials for artificial organs

Michael Lysaght &

Thomas J. Webster (Eds)

Woodhead Publishing • 2010 • 320 pp

ISBN: 978-1-84569-653-5

£135.00

This text explores how biomaterials can be

utilized in a variety of medical applications,

including: joint replacements, pacemakers,

heart valves, neurostimulators, and

membranes for blood oxygenation.

Recent developments in biomaterials are

discussed, and each chapter concludes by

looking to the future. This book will be of

interest to any researcher interested in the

present state of biomaterial application.

New frontiers in chemical biology

Mark E. Bunnage (Ed)

RSC Publishing • 2010 • 328 pp

ISBN: 978-1-84973-125-6

£132.99

The fifth book in the Drug Discovery

series takes a look at the cutting edge of

chemical biology research. Although the

subject matter may have broad appeal,

the text is pitched at an expert level, and

may be too detailed for the uninitiated

reader. However, those familiar with

chemical biology and an interest in the

state of the field will find the book useful.

Polymeric solar cells: materials, design, manufacture

Frederik Krebs (Ed)

DEStech Publications, Inc. • 2010 • 240 pp

ISBN: 978-1-60595-017-4

Price: $129.50

Polymeric devices represent a fast moving,

exciting area, thanks to the appeal of

flexible, low cost solar cells. As the title

suggests, the book looks at all aspects of

producing these solar cells, with particular

attention paid to the polythiophene-based

polymers, which possess the highest

conversion efficiencies. The text does not

concentrate on the science of polymeric

solar cells, and so is perhaps best suited to

those who are interested in the industrial

and commercial prospects of these

devices.

Biomaterials - A Tantalus experience

The use of biomaterials to improve human life, whether

it be for the replacement of worn out hips, furred

up arteries, decaying teeth, or for the regeneration

of damaged tissues such as skin is ubiquitous. As a

population’s age and health is maintained for longer,

there is a need to replace and renew bones, vessels, and

tissues. The biomaterials industry is currently worth ca.

$28 billion with growth at 15 % per annum expected for

the next few years, and with the market being expected

to be worth $58.1 billion (www.marketsandmarkets.

com) by 2014. It is worth noting that

while metals and ceramics are currently

the major players in the biomaterials

market, significant changes are

envisioned by 2014 with polymers and

tissue engineering constructs becoming

major contenders. Currently orthopedic

implants make up the bulk of all

devices implanted (1 million per annum

worldwide) at a cost of around $10

billion, but by 2014 it is anticipated that

expenditure on materials and devices for

the treatment of cardiovascular disease

will be more than double this due to

increasing numbers of cardiac arrests

requiring treatment.

It is in the context of our ever increasing need for

new biomaterials, and new devices incorporating

such materials, that we should view the contribution

of this volume to the biomaterials science literature.

The volume consists of 15 chapters and a series of

appendices containing relevant physical, crystallographic,

electrochemical, and solution data. The factual emphasis

of this volume is on metals, alloys, and ceramics

with a much smaller emphasis on polymers and soft

tissues, including tissue engineering. Discussions on

the various classes of material are set in context in

respect to the body as a ‘perfect human machine’ and a

‘failing human machine’, with initial chapters providing

relevant definitions to terms that are encountered

later in the volume. A coherent series of chapters on

‘corrosion’ (metals and their behavior in an aqueous

environment), ‘intoxicated by implants’ (emphasizing

toxicity and immunotoxicology), and ‘zirconium and

other newcomers’ (use of other elements to improve

materials properties) is a strength of this volume, as are

the detailed chapters on ‘dental materials’ and ‘heart

valve substitutes’. The inclusion of a chapter on ‘water’,

the matrix pertinent to the function of most biomaterials,

is also much appreciated. Other chapters provide

information and discussion on a diverse range of topics

in biomaterials science including, long bones, methods

for generating complex shapes, Mg-containing alloys,

ceramics, the adaptability of polymers for generating the

‘perfect prosthesis’, and tissue engineering. It should be

noted that the authors make no excuse for the fact that

the content of the book is selective and very much their

personal choice.

This textbook is very different to other

textbooks on biomaterials science and

is an individual approach to the subject.

The authors use clinical examples to

emphasize the important relationship

between the materials engineering

aspects and the real world. Throughout,

there is an attempt to provide the

fundamental science about ‘what’ and

‘why’ something functions, and more

conventional biomaterials science

is admixed with chemistry, physics,

mathematics, computing, bioscience,

and engineering topics as appropriate. In

addition, each chapter includes some or

all of the following: historical relevance,

philosophical ideas, literary references, Greek mythology,

and a range of thought provoking questions, many of

which do not currently have definitive answers but which

may provide ‘food for thought’ for the current and next

generation of biomaterials scientists.

This book is written in a manner that could be viewed

as ‘thought provoking’ but could also be considered

‘irritating’, depending on personal preferences for

subject texts. It will either take pride of place in a

personal library or will be consigned to the dustbin!

Irrespective of whether one likes the content and

style of the book or not, the authors and publishing

team have let down their audience by poor attention

to detail as there are numerous errors in tables

throughout the text and appendices, some of which

could be very misleading for newcomers to the field.

This book is a textbook on biomaterials science which also includes a liberal helping of philosophy and history of science with numerous references to literature, Greek myths, and art. Carole Perry | carole.perry@ntu.ac.uk

Jozef A. Helsen and Yannis Missirlis

Biomaterials - A Tantalus Experience

Springer • 2010 • 340 pp.

ISBN: 978-3-642-12531-7

£108.00

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