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，以增强生物聚合物的机械完整性，并研究一种新的微孔结构，这将有助于手术器械中生物活性材料的输送。该方法将是： 1. 进行生物材料和纳米金刚石（ND）复合材料研究，以优化聚合物/ND 界面和大规模生产技术，以制造 ND 增强生物聚合物。 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主体和有效的骨/组织愈合和生长。 3.新技术研究：梯度细胞结构产生生物试剂储存和通道微孔，不仅保证装置的机械强度，而且有助于生物活性材料的输送。 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： 提供一种创新方法来提高生物材料的机械完整性，并用主动设备取代当前的被动骨科手术设备；将与 Arthrex, Inc. 建立牢固的关系，以进行新技术的开发和转让；培养博士生3名，高级设计团队2名；让学生参与纳米制造、生物活性固定装置和生物试剂输送方面的设计项目。该项目将用于当地高中和社区学院学生（包括许多代表性不足的少数族裔学生）的外展研讨会，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.