ABSTRACT
The interactions between biological systems and artificial surfaces occur at the tissue-biomaterial interface, and it is reasonable to expect that the nature of this surface influences these interactions. Excess surface energy results from the different atomic or molecular environment encountered by atoms and molecules at the surface or interface when compared with the environment of the molecules contained within the bulk of the material. Contact angle goniometry is the most widely used method of tensiometric characterization of biomaterial surfaces. Measurements of contact angles often are taken in air or underwater, using water or air as the medium for droplet or bubble formation. Contact angle hysteresis is the term used to denote differences in the measured cotact angles of a drop of fluid when it is spreading over the surface, and when the droplet is receding. There exists a whole range of spectroscopic techniques that have been developed in order to probe surface chemistry and structure.
