Book description
The first reference on this emerging interdisciplinary research area at
the interface between materials science and biomedicine is written by
pioneers in the field, who address the requirements, current status and
future challenges. Focusing on inherently conducting polymers, carbon
nanotubes and graphene, they adopt a systematic approach, covering all
relevant aspects and concepts: synthesis and fabrication, properties,
introduction of biological function, components of bionic devices and
materials requirements. Established bionic devices, such as the bionic
ear are examined, as are emerging areas of application, including use of
organic bionic materials as conduits for bone re-growth, spinal cord
injury repair and muscle regeneration. The whole is rounded off with a
look at future prospects in sustainable energy generation and storage.
Invaluable reading for materials scientists, polymer chemists,
electrotechnicians, chemists, biologists, and bioengineers.
Gordon G. Wallace is Executive Research Director of the ARC Centre of
Excellence for Electromaterials Science, an Australian Laureate Fellow
and previously an ARC Federation Fellow. He is a Fellow of the
Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of
Technological Sciences and Engineering. Professor Wallace`s research
interests include organic conductors, nanomaterials and electrochemical
probe methods of analysis, and the use of these in the development of
Intelligent Polymer Systems.
Simon E. Moulton received his PhD degree in chemistry from the
University of Wollongong, Australia in 2002. He is currently an ARC QEII
Fellow at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), ARC Centre
of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) at the University
of Wollongong. His research interests include the development of
conducting biomaterials comprising of organic conducting polymers,
carbon nanotubes and degradable polymers and using these to influence
cellular responses in systems such as nerve and muscle as well as their
use in controlled release of therapeutic drugs.
Robert Kapsa (PhD-1996, The University of Melbourne) is a Molecular and
Stem Cell Biologist whose research has focused on the development of
genetic and cell-based therapies for Neuromuscular Disorders such as the
Muscular Dystrophies and Motor Neuron Diseases. More recently, he has
worked with Gordon Wallace and Graeme Clark in heading the Australian
Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science
Bionics Platform in developing regenerative Bionics implants by which to
repair damaged and diseased muscle and nerve. Currently, his research
focus is on the mechanisms by which electrical stimulation and the
specific molecular chemistry of materials elicits changes within the
molecular biology, structure and function of nerve and muscle
(excitable) cells.
Michael J. Higgins completed his PhD degree in Biology and Chemistry at
the University of Melbourne, Australia in 2003. He was a research fellow
at the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanodevices and Nanostructures
(CRANN), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland in 2003 - 2007.
Dr. Higgins is currently an ARC Australian Research Fellow at the
Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), ARC Centre of Excellence for
Electromaterials Science (ACES), University of Wollongong, Australia.
His research interest is the cellular-material interface and application
of scanning probe microscopy techniques to study biological systems at
the nanoscale.
