Electrically Polarized Biomaterials

Electrically polarized biomaterials and their interactions with the surrounding biological environment is important for understanding the host response, growth and inhibition of biological species as well as the long‐term fate and performance of the implants. Polarized materials possess electrical charges at the surface due to polar or electret properties. As these surfaces are at the frontier of biological reactions understanding biological interactions at the interface with polarized biomaterials requires a convergence of understanding multiple disciplines. This article discusses progress that has taken place in the fields of surface and interface science, materials science and biomedical device engineering to obtain a better perspective of such interactions. Polarized materials possess electrical charges at the surface due to polar or electret properties. This surface charge gives rise to an electrified interface with the surrounding biological environment that impacts, for example, the fate and performance of implants. Progress in the development of polarized biomaterials, the understanding of the electrified interface and potential device applications are discussed.