Collaborative Research: A Novel Approach to Improve the Interfacial Strength of Hydroxyapatite Coated Implants for Orthopedic and Dental Applications

本研究的目的是了解界面改性与HA涂层最终性能之间的相互关系。这样的涂层应该具有强大的结合强度、稳定的界面、优异的耐腐蚀性和良好的生物兼容性，适合于骨科和牙科应用。所提出的方法是先对钛合金表面进行改性，然后再进行HA涂层。钛合金表面将应用一种多功能柔顺多层膜，它由FeCrAl薄膜底层、致密、附着的α-Al_2O_3亚层和纳米晶须氧化铝上层组成。此外，纳米HA涂层将使用电泳法或仿生组装法应用于柔顺层的表面。这两种涂层技术将作为比较的模型系统进行探索。拟议的项目对各种科学学科产生了更广泛的社会影响。它不仅将提供一种性能优越的新型植入材料，以改善医疗保健，而且还将为克服长期存在的金属-陶瓷结合不良的问题提供新的见解。纳米金属表面还可以为微电子机械系统(MEMS)和纳米电子机械系统(NEMS)的应用提供新的模板，如恶劣环境和药物输送设备的传感器和执行器。该项目将对一些生物材料界面研究领域的研究生和本科生进行培训，同时让他们接触到多学科的大学间合作(UConn-UCF)。此外，我们将进行K-12推广，让高中教师和学生，特别是女性和代表性不足的少数族裔，对工程研究感到兴奋。

The objective of the research is to understand the interrelationship between the interface modification and the final performance of the HA coating. Such coatings should have a strong bonding strength, stable interface, superior corrosion resistance and excellent biocompatibility suitable for orthopedic and dental applications. The proposed approach is to modify the Ti alloy surface prior to HA coating. A multifunctional compliant multi-layer will be applied to the surface of the Ti alloy, which consists of a FeCrAl thin film bottom layer, a dense, adherent alpha-alumina subscale, and a nano-whisker alumina top layer. Futhermore, nano HA coatings will be applied onto the surface of the compliant layer using either electrophoresis or biomimetic assembly. Both coating techniques will be explored as model systems for comparison. The proposed project has a broader societal impact on various scientific disciplines. Not only will it deliver a new type of implant material with superior performance for better healthcare, but will also give new insights to overcome the long-standing problems of poor metal-ceramic bonding. The nano-engineered metal surface could also provide a new template for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) applications, such as sensors and actuators for harsh environment and drug delivery devices. This project will result in the training of a number of graduate and undergraduate students in the area of biomaterial interface studies, while exposing them to multidisciplinary inter-university (UConn-UCF) collaboration. In addition, we will perform K-12 outreach to get high school teachers and students, especially female and under-representative minorities, excited about engineering research.