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Biomaterial

Definition

A biomaterial is a substance that has been engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose – either a therapeutic or a diagnostic one. The corresponding field of study is called biomaterials science or biomaterials engineering. It has experienced steady growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science.

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