Innovative Ceramic and Metallic Porous Materials

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Research into novel structural and biomedical materials and composites is creating innovative breakthroughs through thedevelopment of porous microstructural architectures with unique properties. These materials are finding a wide variety ofapplications ranging from automotive to the medical field. The proposed work will have a significant impact on theknowledge and understanding of the science behind their manufacturing and performance for a range of applications. Thebiomaterials research will study the development of bone scaffolds, for example, in the form of bioabsorbable compositefoams created by novel processes devised by this group. A bone scaffold acts as a temporary structural replacement for bonefollowing trauma or bone loss and, upon healing, the scaffold, is biocompatible and is naturally reabsorbed into the body withno adverse effects. A bioglass sol-gel nano-powder dispersed in a lactic acid polymer foam is expected to enhance the latterprocesses and is the focus of an axis of the proposed work.Another aspects of this research proposal is based on improvementto the processing of aluminumalloy foams which are finding applications as structural auto body parts that are capable of absorbing significant impact energyresulting from vehicle collisions. A new research direction includes innovative Soft Magnetic Composites (SMCs) using powder metallurgy processing techniques for novel designs of electric motors for ground vehicle transportation. These materials have the potential to be manufactured by 3D Printing. All this research is of value to Canada and a number of industries will benefit, including theautomotive supply chain and aerospace industries. Several manufacturers of porous materials for structural or functional applications already exist and are constantly seeking out ways to improve their products and processes. Moreover with anaging population and increasing sophistication of medical procedures which provide more permanent or longer termsolutions, there continues to be a demand for more advanced and improved biomaterials for use in a variety of emerging aswell as existing applications.