CAREER: Processing of Bioceramic Implants Using Rapid Prototyping

本CAREER项目的研究内容主要集中在生物陶瓷植入物的快速成型，并打算研究以下几个方面：孔径、孔容和孔分布对多孔陶瓷植入物的生物相容性、生物活性和生物力学性能的影响？ 它将检查不同类型的多孔生物陶瓷植入物上的各种受控互连孔结构的有效性。 这一目标将通过跨学科的方法来实现，该方法集成了先进的制造技术，基础陶瓷加工，材料表征和生物医学工程。 净形和近净形生物陶瓷植入物将通过间接和直接加工路线使用快速成型（固体自由成型制造）技术制造。新型的三维蜂窝结构，控制互连的孔隙率和所需的形状将被制造。 将改变孔径、孔分布和总孔体积，以使用模拟体液中的体外试验研究其对组织长入和生物力学特性的影响。本科生和研究生将通过先进加工和制造的实践研究经验接受教育。 每年夏天将招募当地初中/高中学生参加外展计划下的项目。 该项目预计将使目前的知识在生物工程应用的陶瓷快速成型显着进步。通过该项目的教育工作，这些知识将直接使部分大学和高中学生受益。

The research component of this CAREER project focuses on rapid prototyping of bioceramic implants and intends to investigate the following aspects: what are the effects of pore size, pore volume and pore distribution on biocompatibility, bioactivity and the biomechanical properties of porous ceramic implants? It will examine the effectiveness of various controlled interconnected pore structures on different types of porous bioceramic implants. This objective will be accomplished using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates advanced manufacturing techniques, fundamental ceramic processing, materials characterization, and biomedical engineering. Net-shape and near net-shape bioceramic implants will be fabricated via indirect and direct processing routes using rapid prototyping (solid freeform fabrication) technique. Novel three-dimensional honeycomb structures with controlled interconnected porosity and desired shapes will be fabricated. Pore size, pore distribution and total pore volume will be varied to study their effects on tissue ingrowth and biomechanical properties using in-vitro testing in simulated body fluids. Undergraduate and graduate students will be educated through hands-on research experience in advanced processing and manufacturing. Local junior/senior high school students will be recruited every summer to participate in the project under an outreach program. The project is expected to make significant advance of the current knowledge on rapid prototyping of ceramics for bioengineering applications. This knowledge will directly benefit selective college and high-school student through the project's education effort.