NewPhaseBio - A new generation of phase field-based models to predict the degradation of biomaterials

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Biodegradable materials, such as magnesium (Mg), have attracted significant attention in medical applications due to theirmechanical properties, biocompatibility, and in vivo degradability. However, their use as implant materials is being hindered by theirrapid corrosion rates and mechanical failures - degradation occurs before bone healing. This fellowship builds upon the hypothesisthat these challenges can be overcome by tailoring the mechanical integrity and degradation rates through the development of Mgbasedcomposite materials and Mg alloys with adequate choices of composition. To achieve this, I will develop a new class of phasefield-based models that resolve the electro-chemo-mechanical processes underlying biomaterial degradation, extending the successof phase field approaches to a new discipline (bio-corrosion). Computational predictions will be benchmarked against acomplementary experimental campaign, and subsequently used to map viability regimes and gain fundamental insight that will setthe basis for new Mg-based bioengineering solutions. The goal is to develop a "virtual platform" that will enable tailoringbiocorrosion rates to the desired implant geometry/integrity at the end of its functional life, with the long-term ambition of impactingclinical practice. The feasibility of the research is strengthened by my pioneering work in phase field corrosion for structural materials,and the interdisciplinary collaboration arranged, involving two host supervisors at Imperial College London with a world-leadingreputation in biomaterials (J. Jones) and phase field multi-physics modelling (E. Martinez-Pañeda), and a collaborator leading acomplementary H2020 project focused on experimental testing of Mg and Mg-based composite implants (J. Llorca, PolytechnicUniversity of Madrid and IMDEA Materials).