CAREER: Processing of Bioceramic Implants Using Rapid Prototyping

本CAREER项目的研究重点是生物陶瓷植入物的快速成型，旨在研究以下几个方面：孔径、孔体积和孔分布对多孔陶瓷植入物的生物相容性、生物活性和生物力学性能的影响？它将检查各种控制互联孔结构在不同类型的多孔生物陶瓷植入物上的有效性。这一目标将通过跨学科的方法来实现，该方法集成了先进的制造技术、基础陶瓷加工、材料表征和生物医学工程。净形和近净形生物陶瓷植入物将通过间接和直接的加工路线使用快速成型（固体自由形状制造）技术制造。新型的三维蜂窝结构具有可控制的互连孔隙度和所需的形状。孔隙大小、孔隙分布和总孔容将在模拟体液中进行体外测试，以研究它们对组织生长和生物力学性能的影响。本科生和研究生将通过先进加工和制造的实践研究经验进行教育。每年夏天将招募当地的初中/高中学生参加一个外展项目。该项目有望在生物工程应用的陶瓷快速成型方面取得重大进展。通过该项目的教育工作，这些知识将直接使名牌大学和高中生受益。

The research component of this CAREER project focuses on rapid prototyping of bioceramic implants and intends to investigate the following aspects: what are the effects of pore size, pore volume and pore distribution on biocompatibility, bioactivity and the biomechanical properties of porous ceramic implants? It will examine the effectiveness of various controlled interconnected pore structures on different types of porous bioceramic implants. This objective will be accomplished using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates advanced manufacturing techniques, fundamental ceramic processing, materials characterization, and biomedical engineering. Net-shape and near net-shape bioceramic implants will be fabricated via indirect and direct processing routes using rapid prototyping (solid freeform fabrication) technique. Novel three-dimensional honeycomb structures with controlled interconnected porosity and desired shapes will be fabricated. Pore size, pore distribution and total pore volume will be varied to study their effects on tissue ingrowth and biomechanical properties using in-vitro testing in simulated body fluids. Undergraduate and graduate students will be educated through hands-on research experience in advanced processing and manufacturing. Local junior/senior high school students will be recruited every summer to participate in the project under an outreach program. The project is expected to make significant advance of the current knowledge on rapid prototyping of ceramics for bioengineering applications. This knowledge will directly benefit selective college and high-school student through the project's education effort.