Control of surface morphology impacts greatly upon the performance of
nano-structured devices. This is particularly true in the case of biomaterials and medical
devices, because cell responses are highly affected by topography. This chapter
describes some of the most up to date microscopy principles and methods, offering a
flavor of the broad range in which AFM, SEM and TEM techniques have impacted
upon advances in understanding. Additionally, some applied examples of biomedical
materials surface characterizations are described in order to point the way to gain useful
information about the interaction between biomaterials and biological systems.
Keywords: Biomaterials, nanostructured devices, atomic Force Microscopy,
Electron Microscopy, nanofibers, nano-hydroxyapatite, collagen.
