Laser Engineered Multilayer Bioactive Coatings with Hydroxyapatite Nano-Powders

本研究的目的是研究一种新型的多层激光涂层工艺，在Ti6 Al 4V金属基体上形成功能梯度生物陶瓷涂层。 生物活性陶瓷涂层（如羟基磷灰石（HAp））的应用通常用于承重金属植入物，以改善细胞-材料相互作用并缩短愈合时间。 然而，大多数商业涂层工艺都存在尖锐的涂层/基材界面，这始终是潜在的弱点来源，因为植入物和涂层材料之间的机械性能和热膨胀系数不匹配会导致严重的应力积聚。 该计划旨在克服这些问题，激光工程多层生物活性涂层与HAp纳米粉末，其中在界面上的微观结构和性能的渐进变化将达到。 更具体地说，该项目的目标是：（a）合成纳米级羟基磷灰石颗粒与定制的尺寸和形态使用胶束和反胶束模板系统;（B）多孔的单层和多层HAp/Ti涂层的处理Ti6 Al 4 V基板上的脉冲激光表面工程;和（c）的物理，机械和生物性能的表征。 将优化工艺参数，以实现良好的结合强度，同时保持相纯度和生物相容性。这项工作的成功完成将显着提高生物陶瓷涂层的寿命。这项工作将增加非传统制造（NTM）技术在制造业教育中的存在，建立一个强大的研究计划，涉及激光制造。 将通过为高中生和代表性不足的少数群体开展外联活动，招募和鼓励学生参加这一项目。

The aim of this research program is to investigate a novel multiple-layer laser coating process to form functionally gradient bioceramic coatings on Ti6Al4V metal substrates. Application of bioactive ceramic coatings, such as Hydroxyapatite (HAp), is common in load bearing metal implants to improve cell-materials interaction and reduce healing time. However, most of the commercial coating processes present a sharp coating/substrate interface, which is always a potential source of weakness because severe stresses can build up due to the mismatch of mechanical properties and thermal expansion coefficients between the implant and coating material. This program seeks to overcome these problems with a laser engineered multilayer bioactive coating with HAp nano-powders in which a progressive change in both microstructure and properties over the interface will be attained. More specifically, the aims of this project are: (a) synthesis of nano-scale hydroxyapatite particles with tailored size and morphology using micelle and reverse micelle template systems; (b) processing of porous single and multiple-layer HAp/Ti coatings on Ti6Al4V substrate by pulsed laser surface engineering; and (c) characterization of physical, mechanical and biological properties. Process parameters will be optimized to achieve good bonding strength while maintaining phase purity and biocompatibility. The successful completion of this work will significantly improve the lifetime of bioceramic coatings. This work will increase the presence of nontraditional manufacturing (NTM) techniques in manufacturing education by establishing a strong research program involving laser manufacturing. Students will be recruited and encouraged to participate in this project through outreach activities for high school students and under-represented minorities.