Processing and Characterization of Functionally Graded Coatings for Bio-Medical Implants

本研究计划的目的是开发一种功能分级的羟基磷灰石（FGHA）涂层，用于骨科和牙科植入物，具有定制的抗菌成分释放率。在这种情况下，抗菌元素在植入后立即与涂层表面的大部分非晶态层一起具有较高的释放率，并且随着涂层结晶度的增加，其释放率逐渐降低。此外，该方案旨在通过创造涂层，不仅与并列的骨骼，而且与金属基板形成牢固持久的结合，从而增加骨科/牙科植入物的使用寿命。所有这些都将转化为接受骨科或牙科植入物的患者，具有具有集成抗菌成分的优越生物活性涂层。因此，患者可以通过减少抗生素摄入量，减少感染及其后续并发症的风险，更快地恢复正常的生活方式。该研究旨在研究一种新的涂层材料，该材料具有定制的溶解速率，可以与骨骼生长相匹配，并逐渐释放抗菌成分，这将对下一代骨科和牙科种植体的发展产生重大影响，具有更高的耐久性，以及更好的生物反应。该教育计划包括四个互补的举措，包括：基于美国两所大学三个不同部门和日本国家材料科学研究所合作的跨学科研究，包括生物材料在内的先进材料的新研究生课程开发，本科生和研究生之间的团队合作以及特别尝试雇用女性，代表性不足和残疾学生

The aim of this research program is to develop a functionally graded Hydroxyapatite (FGHA) coating for orthopedic and dental implants with a tailored release rate of an antimicrobial component. In this case, the antimicrobial element will have a higher release rate together with the mostly amorphous layer at the surface of the coating immediately after implantation, and its release rate will gradually decreases with increasing crystallinity of the coating. Furthermore, the proposal aims to increase the service-life of an orthopedic/ dental implant by creating coatings that forms a strong, long lasting bond not only with the juxtaposed bone, but also with the metal substrate. All this will translate into the patient receiving an orthopedic or dental implant, with a superior bioactive coating with an integrated antimicrobial component. As a result, the patient could return to a normal lifestyle sooner with the reduced antibiotics intake along with less risk of infection and its subsequent complications.The proposed study investigates a new coating material with tailored dissolution rate that can match with bone growth together with gradually released antimicrobial components that can have a great impact on the development of the next generation of orthopedic and dental implants with improved durability, along with better biological responses. The education plan involves four complementary initiatives including: interdisciplinary research based on collaboration between three different departments at two university in US and the Japan National Institute of Materials Science, new graduate course development on Advanced Materials including Biomaterials, team work between undergraduate and graduate students and a special attempt to hiring female, underrepresented and disabled students