This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Science comprises a comprehensive study on “Antimicrobial Materials with Medical Applications”. The Special Issue has been inspired by the great progress made in the development of new antimicrobial materials that go beyond the resistance of microbes to modern antibiotics. It covers a selection of recent research and review articles in the field of antimicrobial materials and their medical applications. Moreover, it also provides an overview of this increasingly diverse field, presenting recent developments and the latest research, with particular emphasis on new antimicrobial surfaces, medical devices, contact lens, package materials, etc.

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According to the latest NACE estimation (2013), the global cost of corrosion is equivalent to approximately 3.4% of the global GDP (2.5 trillion US dollars), not considering environmental consequences or safety issues. A reduction between 15% and 35% could be realized if prevention techniques and proper precaution are used, which means savings between 375 and 875 billion US dollars. Corrosion involves different sectors such as industry, military, civilian, services, etc., in particular energy production, transport, chemical and petrochemical industries, the mechanical industry, and drink and beverage. Among these sectors, most of the constituents are made out of steel, which is the most produced metal in the world (1808 million tons in 2018), or light alloys, mainly aluminum (60.1 million tons of consumption in 2018).A proper alloy design in terms of composition, heat treatments, microstructural features, etc. is mandatory in order to obtain the best combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance during operation, reducing maintenance costs and the overall impact on the global economy. In fact, microstructural features can affect both the corrosion of the material itself and the eventual production of protective layers on its surfaces.The purpose of this Special Issue was to correlate the key role of the microstructure of steels and light alloys to their corrosion properties.

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Magnesium und seine Legierungen besitzen durch ihre geringe Dichte ein enormes Leichtbaupotenzial. Der breitere Einsatz dieses Metalls wird jedoch oft aufgrund der geringen Korrosionsbeständigkeit limitiert. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wird zum einen die korrosive Belastung durch schmelzpunktsenkende Ca2+-haltige Streusalzadditive (z.B. CaCl2) unter Verwendung eines Ca2+-haltigen und eines Ca2+-freien Elektrolyten mithilfe von elektrochemischen Methoden, Wasserstoffentwicklungsmessungen sowie gravimetrischen Analysen in den für die Praxis relevanten korrosiven Belastungsformen (z.B. galvanische Korrosion, Immersion, atmosphärische Korrosion) herausgearbeitet. Oberflächenanalytische Charakterisierungsmethodenwiesen nach, dass dem Niederschlag von CaCO3 während des Korrosionsprozesses eine hohe Bedeutung in Bezug auf die Korrosionsmechanismen zukommt und dass im Fall von Magnesiumlegierungen die Anwesenheit des hygroskopischen Salzes CaCl2 nicht zwingend die korrosive Last von Streusalzlösungen erhöht. Zum anderen werden kommerziell verfügbare Beschichtungssysteme für Magnesiumlegierungen oberflächenanalytisch und elektrochemisch qualifiziert und ein im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit entwickelter innovativer Korrosionsschutzprimer vorgestellt, welcher sich an der Medizintechnik orientiert und sich die Wechselwirkung von Mg-Implantaten mit menschlichem Blut zu Nutze macht. Durch den Kontakt von Mg-Legierungen mit Blutsimulationsflüssigkeiten (z.B. DMEM) werden karbonatisierte Calciumphosphate erzeugt, welche eine hohe Kompaktheit, eine gute Substratanbindung / -haftung und einen hohen Durchtrittswiderstand besitzen. Durch die Anwesenheit eines definiert ausgeprägten Passivverhaltens wurde auf einer technischen Blechlegierung (AZ31) unter anodischer Polarisierung eine effektive Reduktion der anodischen Metallauflösung um bis zu Faktor 1000 gegenüber ausgewählten kommerziellen Konversionsschichteneingestellt. Dies war auf Probekörpern mit Dreischichtaufbau verbunden mit sehr geringen Ritzunterwanderungen und Steinschlagkennwerten nach mehrwöchiger INKA-Test-Beaufschlagung.

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This Special Issue will compile recent developments in the field of metal oxide thin film deposition. The articles presented in this Special Issue will cover various topics, ranging from, but not limited to, the optimization of deposition methods, thin film preparations, the functionalization of surfaces with targeted applications, nanosensors, catalysis, electronic devices, biocidal coating, and the synthesis of nanostructures via the accurate control of thin film deposition methods, among others. Topics are open to metal oxide thin film deposition and characterization for the development of applications.

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Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), also known as micro-arc oxidation (MAO), functionalizes surfaces, improving the mechanical, thermal, and corrosion performance of metallic substrates, along with other tailored properties (e.g., biocompatibility, catalysis, antibacterial response, self-lubrication, etc.). The extensive field of applications of this technique ranges from structural components, in particular, in the transport sector, to more advanced fields, such as bioengineering. The present Special Issue covers the latest advances in PEO‐coated light alloys for structural (Al, Mg) and biomedical applications (Ti, Mg), with 10 research papers and 1 review from leading research groups around the world.

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This reprint gathers works on various coating materials and technologies aimed at the improvement of materials’ properties, such as corrosion resistance or biocompatibility. Systematic studies demonstrate how the structure and morphology of coatings can change the mechanical, chemical and various functional properties of materials. The reprint contributes to the better understanding of various phenomena induced by metal, ceramic or composite coatings in core materials and, thus, it can help in the more rational design of the selected material’s properties in future studies by the application of coatings.

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This Special Issue presents a comprehensive exploration of recent developments and technological advancements in the field of dental materials. Compiled with the intent to foster a deeper understanding of the material science behind restorative dentistry, this reprint offers detailed insights into novel materials, manufacturing techniques and their clinical applications.The highlights include the following:Exploration of 3D-printed bioglass and advanced resin composites;Discussion on the integration of nanotechnology for improved material properties;Evaluation of environmental and health impacts of new dental materials;Overview of innovative manufacturing processes such as CAD/CAM and selective laser melting (SLM).

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Recently, the scientific community has deemed surface modification to be necessary because the surface properties of new materials are usually inadequate in terms of wettability, adhesion, corrosion resistance, or even drag reduction. In order to modify solid surfaces such as metals and alloys, different treatments have been used to obtain a desired surface finish, including chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, chemical etching, electrodeposition, or the application of non-equilibrium gaseous media, especially gaseous plasma. These treatments promote changes in roughness, hydrophobicity, biocompatibility, or reactivity. Although such treatments have been studied extensively over the past decades and even commercialized, the exact mechanisms of the interaction between reactive gaseous species and solid materials are still inadequately understood. Moreover, for various reasons, it is difficult to find an alloy with a surface behavior that differs from that of the bulk. A frequent goal of surface modification is to obtain a greater or more specific resistance to extreme environments, including resistance to corrosion and wear; higher mechanical or fatigue resistance; hydrophobicity; oleophilicity; or thermal (for low or high temperature exposure), magnetic, electrical, or specific optic or light exposure behavior. Another objective is to increase biocompatibility, prevent (bio)fouling, or both. In order to achieve and improve these properties in metals and alloys, the strategy of surface modification must be applied on the basis of direct action on the metal or the incorporation of a coating that will provide these properties or functionalize its surface to meet complex requirements.

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In recent decades, metals have been considered promising materials in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Metallic bio-materials with excellent mechanical strength can effectively support and replace damaged tissue. Hence, metals have been widely used in load-bearing applications for dentistry and orthopedics. Cobalt-, iron-, and titanium (Ti)-based alloys are representative bio-metals, which are used in various forms, such as vascular stents, hip joints, dental, and orthopedic implants. However, the alloying elements of Co- and Fe-based alloys, Co, Ni, and Cr, induce severe toxicity when ionized in the body, which limits their clinical use. However, Ti and its alloys have been widely used as medical devices and implants, with dental and orthopedic applications due to their excellent bone-regeneration ability, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. Even though Ti and its alloys have generally been used for biomedical applications, there are still challenges that must be met to satisfy their clinical application. For example, osseointegration with the surrounding bone tissue at the initial stage of implantation has been pointed to as a major issue. This Special Issue, “Titanium and Its Alloys for Biomedical Applications”, has been proposed to present recent developments in biomedical applications. The nine research articles included in this Special Issue cover broad aspects of Ti-based alloys and composites with respect to their composition, mechanical, and biological properties, as highlighted in this editorial.

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