Biopolymer composite matrix structure nano architectonics and its key role in regulating mechanical tunability for biomedical applications

Biopolymer composites used for biomedical applications can have forms ranging from soft viscoelastic gels used for 3D printing, to rigid scaffolds or films used for wound healing. We highlight the importance of multi-scale hierarchical structural morphologies on the tunability of mechanical response at different length scales, including tools for the characterization of this structure–function relationship. Detailed studies are presented which have shown how the addition of different fillers to the biopolymer matrix can modify mechanical response through structural changes. Tissues in the human body have mechanical strength ranging from millipascals to gigapascals, and non-linear viscoelasticity with strain-stiffening behavior. A comparison of mechanical properties of different types of cells and tissues is carried out with respect to fabricated biopolymer composites, as one of the factors regulating interfacial mechano-compatibility of implants and scaffolds. Cellular response is shown to be governed by the interfacial mechanobiology involving the biopolymer scaffold, extracellular matrix, and the tissue. Special focus is on guar-gum starch hydrogels (unpublished results) to show how matrix stiffness can regulate interfacial antimicrobial properties. Finally, the requirements for efficient and durable 3D printed biomedical constructs developed by the application of artificial intelligence tools are presented. Conducting polymer hydrogels for neurological implants and quantum dot – conducting polymer network hydrogels for biomedical applications are reviewed, with emphasis on factors regulating their efficiency.