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

研究的目的是了解界面改性与羟基磷灰石涂层最终性能之间的相互关系。这种涂层应具有很强的结合强度，稳定的界面，优异的耐腐蚀性和良好的生物相容性，适合骨科和牙科应用。提出的方法是在HA涂层之前对钛合金表面进行改性。多功能柔性多层将被应用于钛合金的表面，它由FeCrAl薄膜底层，致密的，粘附的α -氧化铝亚层和纳米晶须氧化铝顶层组成。此外，纳米透明质酸涂层将被应用到柔顺层的表面，使用电泳或仿生组装。这两种涂层技术将作为模型系统进行比较。拟议的项目对各个科学学科具有更广泛的社会影响。它不仅提供了一种性能优越的新型植入材料，为更好的医疗保健服务，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。纳米工程金属表面还可以为微机电系统（MEMS）和纳米机电系统（NEMS）的应用提供新的模板，例如用于恶劣环境的传感器和执行器以及药物输送装置。该项目将培养一些生物材料界面研究领域的研究生和本科生，同时使他们接触到多学科大学间的合作。此外，我们将开展K-12外展活动，让高中教师和学生，特别是女性和代表性不足的少数民族，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.