Development and validation of novel bioactive porous biodegradable metals for high performance biomaterials

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According to the Web of Science core collection, reported works on biodegradable metals (BM) for biomedical applications have been growing from <50 publications in 2005 to >2,000 publications over the past 10 years. These metals have been attracting researchers in academia and medical industries alike as they can potentially revolutionize the medical products. The development of BM is fostered by the advancing knowledge in the science and engineering of materials, the science of corrosion and the technology of metal processing. One of the latest specific development is the introduction of porous BM that offer great potential as bone scaffold materials with optimum strength and corrosion behavior. The future of BM research goes toward developing new BM with bio-functionalities and establishing specific experimental procedures. Having worked in the material science and corrosion aspects of BM research for the past 5 years, I am proposing this NSERC discovery program with long-term objective to develop world-recognized expertise in novel BM and their corrosion assessment. Within 5 years, the program has 2 short-term objectives (STOs) to be achieved in 2 structured lines: STO-1: Developing bioactive iron-based porous BM in view of bone scaffold applications; STO-2: Assessing their corrosion behavior under a simulated condition of bone environment. The research in STO-1 has been initiated with works on the development of new composites of porous iron-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as reported in Nature’s Scientific Reports. We will further develop the porous iron as a backbone for incorporating different polymers and bioactive compounds and to investigate the fundamentals of structure-process-property relationship. Within STO-2, we focus on assessing their corrosion behavior using a test-bench that simulates bone environment integrated with an online corrosion monitoring system. We have previously worked in developing a microdialysis-based monitoring system and a test-bench for simulating arterial condition. Within 5 years, we will address the current challenge and need for bioactive biomaterials and specific corrosion assessment methods. We will bring valid evidence of porous BM potentiality as new bioactive biomaterials with optimum mechanical and corrosion properties. We also envisage to create new technological platforms applicable to other fields including bioactive porous composites or membranes for catalysis and online monitoring system for internal corrosion of pipeline and other equipment in oil and gas industry. In this discovery program, we both advance knowledge and train highly qualified personnel (HQP) to acquire expertise in the key areas for Canada. By utilizing my seed fund as new professor, 3 HQPs were recruited and are initiating work planned in this program. The support from NSERC discovery grant will be a big aid for the continuation of their work and training.