| Carbon nanotubes/nanofibers have generated a large amount of interest for a number of applications from solid state devices to biocomposite implantable materials. Naturally, there has been considerable curiosity to utilize carbon nanotubes/nanofibers to benefit human health. In this paper, we describe one promising application of carbon nanofibers in medicine: regeneration of the human skeleton system. More specifically, micro-patterns of carbon nanofibers were created on a polymer matrix to mimic the alignment of collagen and hydroxyapatite in bone. Results showed directed osteoblast (bone-forming cells) adhesion and deposition of calcium phosphate containing mineral on micro-patterns of carbon nanofibers; such results demonstrate that carbon nanofibers patterned on polymers should be further studied for orthopedic applications. |
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