Optimized‐Surface Wettability: A New Experimental 3D Modeling Approach Predicting Favorable Biomaterial–Cell Interactions

Abstract

Despite several decades of research on biomedical implant materials, the identification of predictive and robust in vitro characteristics of cell support ability and viabilities—as indicators of biocompatibility and future implant‐tissue integration—remain elusive. This study addresses the phenomenology of cell–implant interfaces based on experimental, theoretical, and numerical analysis of cell response to functionalized bioceramic coatings of commercial titanium implants, cp‐Ti. A variable spectrum of coatings having differing surface wettabilities, with optimized solid tension values, is obtained. Measured values are modeled and correlated to cell support ability and viabilities. The contributions of different surface aspects to cell viability are decoupled, resulting in the identification of the polar component of the surface free energy as a significant and major cell–substrate effector. Furthermore, results of this study and the suggested model establish the thermodynamic interfacial free energy as an omnipotent measure that can be fully correlated to the morphology of an individual cell under numerical simulation matching empirical observations. Collectively, the 3D model reported herein can offer a new generic theoretical framework, using implementable mathematical simulation, toward the objective of rational biomaterial design that can improve next‐generation metal and ceramic implants.

Surface Wettability of a Natural Rubber Composite under Stretching: A Model to Predict Cell Survival

“…While a cell would have achieved a passive interfacial free energy minimization state by simply remaining in the specific geometry, such a change may be necessary, for instance, in order to satisfy the thermodynamic function boundary condition. This requirement corroborates that cell viability is more likely to occur only at this specific interfacial energy window of opportunity because biological factors may be implicated in this process, for instance, opposing internal stresses due to nuclear and cytoplasmic resistance, which may limit the maximum and minimum values of γ c and γ i . Herein, we state that membrane tension changes during stretching, thereby satisfying the boundary conditions.…”

“…From a static point of view (cells on the surface in an equilibrium state), the interfacial energy γ i could assume values ranging from 30 to 0 mN m –1 , which exhibits an opportunity window for cells in viable states. In our previous work, we identified values of γ i ∼5 mN m –1 with high viability for fibroblast cells . By analogy, the optimized steady-state γ c is found to be 51 mN m –1 right after the cell spreading-attachment stage on the surface.…”

“…From axisymmetric coordinates, the 3D cell morphology was modeled as comprising three nonindependent geometric cell parameters: average cell height measured from surface’s plane to the top ( e ), width ( x ) and length ( y ), and distinct energetic parameters. The approach was applied to the simplest geometrical forms, which closely resemble cell morphologies on limited surface areas, and connected to their respective interfacial energies/tensions . The model comprises, therefore, three geometric parameters ( x, y, and e ) and three distinct energetic densities (γ s , γ c , and γ i ) representing the substrate, cell membrane, and interfacial tensions, respectively.…”

“…For example, temperature-tunable wettability has been proposed to enhance fog collection efficiency and promote unidirectional liquid transport . On the other hand, chemically tunable wettability has opened up a novel route to cell migration and differentiation, and SW studies have led to a better understanding of the surface effects on the cell response. − However, the investigation of the tunable SW under substrate stretching and the related changes in mechanical and interfacial properties, such as surface tension changes, has not yet been explored.…”

QCM-D Study of Time-Resolved Cell Adhesion and Detachment: Effect of Surface Free Energy on Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

“…The motivation for using gold is two-fold. First, studies correlating surface wettability and cell adhesion have reported a water contact angle of 65 ± 5° as the “magic number” for ideal cell adhesion on biomaterials. , This value corresponds to the water contact angle of clean gold. Second, gold is biocompatible and used for implants and prosthetic implant components, such as screws .…”