Designing, modelling and manufacturing composite hydrogels for biomedical applications

该项目有两个主要目标：首先，它旨在为4D打印设计空间做出贡献;使用Abaqus和Python可以对智能复合材料进行建模，并模拟其随后的形状变化。这允许用户对4D复合材料进行建模，并在一段时间内跟踪其触发的变形。第二个目标是制造一种4D可打印的生物感应髋关节植入物，这将在各种活动中进行测试，以优化体内使用。目的是利用4D材料为人类提供价值。骨关节炎影响着全球超过2.5亿人;目前还没有一种简单有效的治疗方法来解决问题的原因。因此，有人问，4D材料是否可以用于支撑和再生受损的关节界面？该项目的两个关键目标将统一执行，旨在相互支持和优化;建模实验应补充物理实验，反之亦然。4D设计空间中的建模将用于进行探索性实验，使实验室的时间集中而简洁。4D材料建模将研究分层结构的影响，即，纳米/微米结构能引导宏观形状变化吗？这涉及复合材料建模，在更大的框架内探索微/纳米结构，使直接和智能的形状变化，以提供必要的支持和增长。4D材料建模将允许整体材料测试方法，许多材料可以在相对较短的时间内进行测试。因此，产生用于支撑和刺激人类髋关节的最期望的材料特性。在此之后，可以选择与最理想的材料特性密切匹配的物理材料。此外，还将测试多种不同的材料混合物，以产生可调的材料特性。立体光刻3D打印机将用于制造测试材料，打印机利用紫外线瞬间固化树脂以产生固体结构。将研究各种打印方法以产生最佳材料特性，目的是模仿体内发现的材料特性，以提供最佳支撑。增材制造会产生各向异性的材料特性，并在髋关节中产生复杂的载荷模式。在适当的平面上最大化材料特性是至关重要的。因此，实验将研究打印角度如何影响各向异性材料特性，从而为植入物制造提供最佳打印角度。此外，在固化过程中将使用灰度照明技术来生产功能梯度材料，这将模拟健康人体中发现的关节界面，以提供进一步的支持。建模活动将补充多材料制造，以提供关于植入物制造最有效的材料混合物的信息。材料测试最初将包括标准ASTM手册中概述的简单压缩和剪切测试。随着项目的进展，目标将是建立一个假髋关节，以模仿人类髋关节内发现的复杂载荷环境。为了在体内使用，必须研究生物相容性，结构必须与人体互补。因此，将进行实验以确定生物相容性，以避免植入物插入并发症。将采取措施生产更先进的植入物，刺激关节再生。通过在制造过程中加入生物墨水，可以刺激积极的再生长，目的是制造生物感应的植入物。生物感应植入物将再生关节界面，随后降解，因为它不再需要。

This project has two key objectives: firstly, it aims to contribute to the 4D printing design space; with use of Abaqus and python smart composite materials can be modelled, and their subsequent shape changes simulated. This allows a user to model 4D composite materials and follow their triggered deformation over a period of time. The second objective will be to manufacture a 4D printable bio-inductive hip implant, this will be tested in various campaigns in order to optimise for use in-vivo. The aim is to use 4D materials to provide value to humans.Osteoarthritis affects upwards of 250 million people worldwide; currently there is not a simple effective treatment that addresses the cause of the problem. Hence, one asks, can a 4D material be used to support and regenerate damaged joint interfaces? Both key objectives for the project will be carried out in unison, designed to support and optimise each other; modelling experiments should supplement physical experiments and vice versa.Modelling in the 4D design space will be used to carry out exploratory experiments, allowing time in the laboratory to be focused and succinct. 4D material modelling will investigate the effect of hierarchical structure, i.e., can nano/micro-structures direct macroscopic shape change? This involves composite material modelling that explores micro/nano structures within a larger framework, enabling direct and intelligent shape change to provide support and growth where necessary. 4D material modelling will allow for a holistic material testing approach, many materials can be tested in a relatively short period of time. Thus, generating the most desirable material properties for supporting and stimulating a human hip joint. Following this, it will be possible to pick physical materials that closely match the most desirable material properties. In addition, multiple different material blends will be tested, producing tuneable material properties.A stereolithographic 3D printer will be used to manufacture materials for testing, the printer utilises ultra-violet light to cure a resin instantaneously to produce a solid structure. Various printing methods will be investigated to produce the best material properties, the aim is to mimic material properties found within the body to provide the best support. Additive manufacturing produces anisotropic material properties, paired with complex loading patterns in the hip joint. It is essential that material properties are maximised in the appropriate plane. Thus, experiments will investigate how the angle of printing affects anisotropic material properties giving the optimal printing angle for implant manufacture. Furthermore, greyscale lighting techniques will be used during the cure process to produce functionally graded materials, this will mimic the joint interface that is found in a healthy human to provide further support. Modelling campaigns will supplement multi-material manufacture, in order to provide information on the most effective material blends for implant manufacture. Material testing will initially involve simple compression and shear testing outlined by standard ASTM manuals. As the project progresses, the aim will be to build a pseudo hip-joint in order to mimic the complex loading environment found within a human hip joint. In order for use in-vivo, biocompatibility must be investigated, the structure must interact in a complementary sense with the human body. Thus, experiments will be carried out to determine biocompatibility to avoid complications with implant insertion. Steps will be taken to produce a more advanced implant that stimulates joint regrowth. By incorporating bio-inks within the manufacturing process it is possible to stimulate positive regrowth, the aim will be to manufacture an implant that is bio-inductive. A bio-inductive implant will regenerate the joint interface and subsequently degrade as it is no longer needed.