Book excerpt: Since the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has raised serious concerns in the biomaterials and biomedical engineering community, Silver Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Devices: Biocompatibility and Toxicity brings together the synthesis, the physicochemical properties and the biological actions of Ag NPs, as well as the clinical demands for fabricating antibacterial medical devices, discussing how to suppress the side effects of nanomaterials and how to impart to them the selective toxicity. This book presents the two primary paradigms that have emerged in probing the antibacterial applications of Ag NPs, i.e. the active attacking releasing way and the conservative defending approach by taking advantage of various short-range actions; it shows readers how the ways in which Ag NPs have behaved can be engineered purposively. With contributions from leading international experts and extensive references listed in each chapter, this volume provides the general principles on controlling the physicochemical behaviors of nanomaterials and managing their toxicity risks.