GOALI/Collaborative Research: Functionalized Nanodiamond Reinforced Biopolymers for Microporous Surgical Fixation Devices

该奖项的目的是探索新的复合纳米制造方法，以提高生物聚合物的机械完整性，并研究一种新的微孔结构，这种结构将有助于外科设备中的生物活性材料输送。1.开展生物材料和纳米金刚石(ND)复合材料的研究，优化聚合物/ND界面和批量生产技术，制备ND增强的生物聚合物。2.确定合适的结构和生物活性材料，以实现坚固的固定装置本体和高效的骨/组织愈合和生长。3.研究了一种新技术：梯度细胞结构产生生物试剂储存和通道微孔，既保证了装置的机械强度，又有助于生物活性物质的输送。4.进行各种机械和生物测试，以发现、控制、优化和集成手术设备所需的所有功能。这项研究的好处和更广泛的影响将是：提供一种创新的方式，提高生物材料的机械完整性，并用主动设备取代现有的被动整形外科设备；将与Artrex，Inc.建立牢固的关系，以进行新技术的开发和转让；将培训三名博士生和两个高级设计团队；让学生参与纳米制造、生物固定设备和生物试剂输送方面的设计项目。该项目将用于为当地高中生和社区大学学生举办的外联研讨会，其中包括许多未被充分代表的少数族裔学生，以展示高科技纳米制造和外科工程应用。

The objective of this award is to explore new composite nano-manufacturing methods to enhance mechanical integrity of biopolymers and to investigate a new micro porous structure which will assist in bioactive material delivery in surgical devices. The approach will be: 1. Conduct biomaterials and nano-diamond (ND) composite research to optimize the polymer/ND interface and mass production technique to manufacture ND reinforced biopolymers. 2. Identify suitable structural and bioactive materials for a strong fixation device body and efficient bone/tissue healing and growth. 3. Research on a new technique: gradient cellular structure to generate bio-reagent storage and passage micro pores to not only assure the device mechanical strength but also assist in bioactive materials delivery. 4. Conduct various mechanical and biological testing to find, control, optimize and integrate all required functionalities for the surgical device.The benefits and broader impacts of this research will be: Provide an innovative way to increase the mechanical integrity of biomaterials and replace current passive orthopedic surgery devices with active devices; a strong relationship with Arthrex, Inc. will be built for the new technology development and transfer; three doctoral students and two senior design teams will be trained; engaging students with design projects in nanomanufacturing, bioactive fixation devices and bio-reagents delivery. The project will be used in outreach workshops for local high school and community college students, including many underrepresented minority students to showcase high-tech nanomanufacturing and surgical engineering applications.