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Biomaterial Surfaces: Properties and Characterization
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:00:14
Abstract
The course addresses undergraduate and graduate students interested in getting introduced into the basic aspects of surface properties, surface modification techniques and specific characterization methods that are relevant for the field of biomaterials, tissue engineering, biosensors and drug delivery carrier systems. Course covers also 3-times 2 h lab demonstrations.
Objective
The course addresses undergraduate and graduate students in Material Science, Chemistry, Biology and Engineering interested in getting introduced into the basic aspects of surface properties, surface modification techniques and surface characterization techniques that are relevant for the field of biomaterials and biosensors.
Content
It covers surface modifications such as chemical, electrochemical, gas phase/plasma and molecular assembly techniques and characterization methods such as XPS, SIMS, IR, el-lipsometry, NEXAFS, SPM/AFM. Emphasis is given to in situ techniques that allow one to follow surface reactions under biologically meaningful conditions in aqueous media, using e.g. sensing techniques based on optical waveguide, surface plasmon resonance or quartz crystal microbalance methods. The basic aspects of protein-surface and cell-surface inter-actions are given, related to surface properties of biomaterials and biosensors. Apart from lectures, experimental 1/2-day courses are offered: experimental work in a sur-face analysis lab and in a cell culture lab respectively. Groups of students can choose a topic to be studied and presented orally during one of the course dates (compulsory for re-ceiving the testate).
Resources
Lecture Notes
Script of 178 pages with many illustrations is distributed free of charge in paper or as CD-ROM.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Biomaterial Surfaces: Properties and Characterization |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Biomaterial Surfaces: Properties and Characterization |
|
2 h weekly |