Coupling Mechanical Competence and Bioresorbability in Bioglass^®‐Derived Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

The transformation of a mechanically competent crystalline phase into a biodegradable amorphous phase in 45S5 Bioglass®‐derived foam scaffolds immersed in simulated body fluid has been investigated. This transformation enables mechanical competence (e.g. compression strength) to be coupled with biodegradability in one optimised scaffold. The present work shows that the goal of an ideal scaffold for bone tissue engineering that provides mechanical support temporarily and biodegrades at later stages at a controlled rate is achievable using Bioglass®‐based foams.