Microcellular Foams

Abstract

Microcellular materials exist in many forms. Methods for production of these materials are as varied as potential applications. This chapter reviews the technology of one class of microcellular materials, microcellular foams, which are sought for biomedical applications. Included is a description of several methods of foam production, foam morphologies, and present uses for microcellular foam materials. New methods of microcellular foam production and potential uses for the resultant foam materials are important to those interested in biomaterials and contemporary biomedical applications. It is for this reason that advances in microcellular foam formation are emphasized in the final section of this chapter. Increasingly, it is becoming evident that microcellular foams can be used effectively in many medical applications, particularly polymeric foam materials which are being investigated in this laboratory. For this reason, the focus of this chapter pertains to possible biomedical applications of polymeric microcellular foams. Types of Microcellular Foams The