Collaborative Research: Tribochemically Induced Gelation and Film Formation at Metal Interfaces

这项资助的研究目的是阐明在机械和化学力的共同作用下，在金属表面形成机械坚固涂层的机制。虽然项目中采用的方法可以应用于各种金属，但重点将放在与生物医学设备直接相关的钴基合金上。这项工作要解决的科学问题围绕在金属表面形成的混合金属/有机层的性质，强烈影响其性质。该项目的成功完成将使人们对广泛用于生物医学植入物（包括膝关节和髋关节置换术）的合金材料有更深入的了解。在这些材料表面形成的混合金属/有机层的性质已被证明是其许多有利特性的原因，但也可能在观察到的痛苦和昂贵的设备故障数量的增加中起作用。该项目将为开发行为更一致的植入物提供必要的科学背景。此外，该项目的合作性质将西北大学的物理科学本科生和研究生与拉什大学医学中心的医科学生聚集在一起。该项目旨在让一些医科学生参与该项目，并发展对植入材料使用的科学问题的理解，这些问题可能在未来的临床实践中使用。相反，西北大学的工程本科和研究生将被告知与医疗植入材料的设计和使用相关的性能要求和限制。

The research objective of this grant is to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the formation of mechanically robust coatings at metal surfaces, arising from the combined action of mechanical and chemical forces. While the methods employed in the project can be applied to a variety of metals, the focus will be on cobalt-based alloys that are of direct relevance to biomedical devices. The scientific questions to be addressed by this work revolve around the nature of mixed metal/organic layers that form at the metal surface, strongly affecting its properties.Successful completion of this project will result in a greater understanding of alloy materials that are widely used in biomedical implants, including knee and hip replacements. The nature of the mixed metal/organic layer formed at the surface of these materials has been shown to be responsible for many of their favorable properties, but may also play a role in an observed increase in the number of painful and costly device failures. This project will provide the necessary scientific background to develop implants that behave in a more consistent manner. In addition, the collaborative nature of the project brings together physical science undergraduate and graduate students at Northwestern University with medical students at Rush University Medical Center. The project is designed so that several medical students will participate in the project and develop an understanding of scientific issues underlying the use of implant materials that they may be using in future clinical practice. Conversely, engineering undergraduate and graduate students at Northwestern will be informed of the performance requirements and constraints that are relevant to the design and use of medical implant materials.