Biomaterials Engineering

316L stainless steel is widely used in implantology, although biological complications may result from its insufficient mechanical properties and low corrosion resistance in the human body. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of 316L steel and its bioactivity,
coatings are applied, e.g. ceramic layers that can improve the proliferation of living cells and barrier protection in the human body

Biocompatible metallic materials used for surgical implants in human body should have superior mechanical properties, as: microhardness, wear resistance, tensile strength, elongation, fracture toughness, creep resistance etc. These results can be also obtained by strict setting and controlling of chemical composition, by adding chemical elements that lead at the improvement of the mentioned properties. In this paper has been presented experimental researches regarding the obtaining process of some biocompatible Co-Cr cast alloys, having different chemical compositions, using the method of vacuum induction melting (VIM). After the obtainment process, samples were characterised from microstructure and microhardness point of view.

The increasing trend of total knee replacement (TKR) revision surgery, which is associated with aseptic loosening, makes it a challenging research subject. The concern of loosening can be partially improved by selecting the optimal materials for TKR components. Therefore, this paper considers selection of the best material among the set of alternatives for femoral component of TKR through the multi-criteria decision making approach. The comprehensive VIKOR method was used to select the optimum material, and a systematic technique for sensitivity analysis of weights was introduced to find more reliable results. The obtained ranking order suggested the use of new materials over the existing ones. Porous and dense NiTi shape memory alloys were ranked first and second respectively.

In this present work, we are reporting a novel approach for fabrication of a kind of highly absorbent, highly stable, flexible, and compact biopolymeric hydrogel bound cotton patch. This novel technique not only exempts the spinning of cotton yarn and use of loom or other kinds of weaving machines but also makes it possible to get a soft but mechanically robust textile material. The mechanical strength and softness as well as the flexibility of such patches can be tuned just by varying the concentration of the biopolymer. Incorporation of graphene oxide in such patches not only improved the mechanical strength but also added the antimicrobial property to the patches. These patches are even stable in the presence of aqueous medium. Most importantly the polymeric matrix hydrogel part, present over the surface of cotton fibers, creates the possibility of loading different kinds of drugs, micro-or nanomaterials, different chemicals, etc. for numerous applications. With this hydrogel coated cotton patch we finally came out with a bandage material − a complete package with a minimal number of ingredients, viz., graphene oxide and curcumin, specially designed to work on infected wounds.

Droplet-based bioprinting (DBB) offers greater advantages due to its simplicity and agility with precise control on deposition of biologics including cells, growth factors, genes, drugs and biomaterials, and has been a prominent technology in the bioprinting community. Due to its immense versatility, DBB technology has been adopted by various application areas, including but not limited to, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, transplantation and clinics, pharmaceutics and high-throughput screening, and cancer research. Despite the great benefits, the technology currently faces several challenges such as a narrow range of available bioink materials, bioprinting-induced cell damage at substantial levels, limited mechanical and structural integrity of bioprinted constructs, and restrictions on the size of constructs due to lack of vascularization and porosity. This paper presents a first-time review of DBB and comprehensively covers the existing DBB modalities including inkjet, electrohydrodynamic, acoustic, and micro-valve bioprinting. The recent notable studies are highlighted, the relevant bioink biomaterials and bioprinters are expounded, the application areas are presented, and the future prospects are provided to the reader.

Although small solar photovoltaic (PV) systems avoid most soft costs, they still have a relatively high $/W value due to racking costs. In order to fulfill the promise of small-scale plug-and-play solar, a do-it-yourself PV rack design is provided and analyzed here for six criteria: (1) made from locally-accessible renewable materials, (2) 25-year lifetime to match PV warranties, (3) able to be fabricated by average consumers, (4) able to meet Canadian structural building codes, (5) low cost and (6) that it is shared using an open-source license. The open-source wood-based fixed-tilt ground-mounted bifacial photovoltaic rack design evaluated here was found to be appropriate throughout North America. Economic analysis of the bill of materials showed the racking system ranges from 49% to 77% less expensive compared to commercial proprietary racking in Canada. The racking design, however, is highly dependent on the cost of lumber that varies widely throughout the world. Even for an absolute lower-cost design in Togo due to a lower fixed tilt angle and lower loads from lack of snow, it was not found to be economic because of the relatively high cost of wood. The recent volatile lumber market warrants local evaluation from those considering the use of the open-source design. This design, however, provides for a PV rack that can be manufactured with distributed means throughout most of the world enabling more equitable access to solar energy to support a circular bioeconomy.

International Journal of Advances in Materials Science and Engineering (IJAMSE) is a quarterly open access peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles which contribute new results in all areas of the Materials Science and Engineering. The journal is devoted to the publication of high quality papers on theoretical and practical aspects of Materials Science and Engineering.

6th International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering (MSE 2022) will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and results in theory, methodology and applications impacts and challenges of Mathematics and Sciences. The conference documents practical and theoretical results which make a fundamental contribution for the development of Mathematics and Sciences.

In this study we present a new strategy for the theory-guided bottom up design of b-Ti alloys for biomedical applications using a
quantum mechanical approach in conjunction with experiments. Parameter-free density functional theory calculations are used to provide theoretical guidance in selecting and optimizing Ti-based alloys with respect to three constraints: (i) the use of non-toxic alloy elements; (ii) the stabilization of the body centered cubic b-phase at room temperature; (iii) the reduction of the elastic stiffness compared to existing Ti-based alloys. Following the theoretical predictions, the alloys of interest are cast and characterized with respect to their crystallographic structure, microstructure, texture, and elastic stiffness. Due to the complexity of the ab initio calculations, the simulations have been focused on a set of binary systems of Ti with two different high melting body-centered cubic metals, namely, Nb and Mo. Various levels of model approximations to describe mechanical and thermodynamic properties are tested and critically evaluated. The experiments are conducted both, on some of the binary alloys and on two more complex engineering alloy variants, namely, Ti–35 wt.% Nb–7 wt.% Zr–5 wt.% Ta and Ti–20 wt.% Mo–7 wt.% Zr–5 wt.% Ta.

This review focuses on low-pressure plasma modification methods to produce hydrophobic coatings and surface modifications on biomaterials. Plasma-deposited fluoropolymer, siloxane, and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are reviewed in terms of process developments, monomers used, stability and aging properties, and their behavior in adsorption of proteins, cell attachment, and bacterial adhesion. These hydrophobic coatings are stable with correct selection of monomers and process conditions, but the plasma polymerized siloxane and fluorocarbons have been mainly applied in biochip and test kits rather than in blood-contact applications. Similarly, the surface characteristics and interfacial bonding of DLC coatings play a crucial role in their successful implementation

The use of bioprinting as a powerful tool for tissue and organ fabrication has been a promising development in the field of biomedicine, offering unprecedented versatility in the fabrication of biologically and physiologically relevant constructs. Even though there are a plethora of commercial bioprinters available in the market, most of them are overly expensive. Thus, university facilities and independent research groups often find it difficult, if not impossible, to equip themselves with such machinery. In this Review, we analyze affordable alternatives to commercial bioprinters, which are presented by the Do-it-Yourself (DiY) community. First, we discuss the current state of these low-cost technologies, and the advances made to bridge the divergence between marketed bioprinters and DiY devices. Afterwards, the different bioprinting technologies that are most commonplace for these low-cost devices are examined. Additionally, an overview of the pioneering DiY bioprinters takes place, as well as the open-source software alternatives to control these bioprinters. Next, we analyze the different factors to take into consideration during the bioprinting workflow, such as bioinks, computer-aided models, and bioprinting parameters. Finally, we conclude with a brief assessment of current limitations and potential solutions, as well as future developments in the arena of bioprinting.

In this article, the physical stability of carrageenan hydrogels was improved for in vitro controlled drug delivery in different pH mediums. Physical property changes were studied using various characterization tests. The effect of modification on swelling behavior of hydrogels as well as swelling kinetics of hydrogels was also investigated. It was found that the addition of genipin to the hydrogels can increase the physical properties of carrageenan hydrogels. An optimum genipin concentration in which molecular structure of hydrogel can be in its most stable form is also determined. The study of swelling kinetics revealed that the modification has resulted in the relaxation of carageenan molecules and the swelling mechanism from a diffusion-controlled mechanism is changed to a polymer relaxation controlled mechanism. Release study shows that by changing the genipin concentration in the hydrogel drug release can be controlled.

Biodegradable polymers and bioactive ceramics are being combined in a variety of composite materials for tissue engineering scaffolds. Materials and fabrication routes for three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with interconnected high porosities suitable for bone tissue engineering are reviewed. Different polymer and ceramic compositions applied and their impact on biodegradability and bioactivity of the scaffolds are discussed, including in vitro and in vivo assessments. The mechanical properties of today's available porous scaffolds are analyzed in detail, revealing insufficient elastic stiffness and compressive strength compared to human bone. Further challenges in scaffold fabrication for tissue engineering such as biomolecules incorporation, surface functionalization and 3D scaffold characterization are discussed, giving possible solution strategies. Stem cell incorporation into scaffolds as a future trend is addressed shortly, highlighting the immense potential for creating next-generation synthetic/living composite biomaterials that feature high adaptiveness to the biological environment.

Tissue engineering is a newly emerging biomedical technology, which aids and increases the repair and regeneration of deficient and injured tissues. It employs the principles from the fields of materials science, cell biology, transplantation, and engineering in an effort to treat or replace damaged tissues. Tissue engineering and development of complex tissues or organs, such as heart, muscle, kidney, liver, and lung, are still a distant milestone in twenty-first century. Generally, there are four main challenges in tissue engineering which need optimization. These include biomaterials, cell sources, vascularization of engineered tissues, and design of drug delivery systems. Biomaterials and cell sources should be specific for the engineering of each tissue or organ. On the other hand, angiogenesis is required not only for the treatment of a variety of ischemic conditions, but it is also a critical component of virtually all tissue-engineering strategies. Therefore, controlling the dose, location, and duration of releasing angiogenic factors via polymeric delivery systems, in order to ultimately better mimic the stem cell niche through scaffolds, will dictate the utility of a variety of biomaterials in tissue regeneration. This review focuses on the use of polymeric vehicles that are made of synthetic and/or natural biomaterials as scaffolds for three-dimensional cell cultures and for locally delivering the inductive growth factors in various formats to provide a method of controlled, localized delivery for the desired time frame and for vascularized tissue-engineering therapies.

Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis are able to form biofilms on virtually any biomaterial implanted in a human host. Biofilms are a primary cause of mortality in immunocompromised and hospitalized patients, as they cause recurrent and invasive candidiasis, which is difficult to eradicate. This is due to the fact that the biofilm cells show high resistance to antifungal treatments and the host defense mechanisms, and exhibit an excellent ability to adhere to biomaterials. Elucidation of the mechanisms of antifungal resistance in Candida biofilms is of unquestionable importance; therefore, this review analyzes both the chemical composition of biomaterials used to fabricate the medical devices, as well as the Candida genes and proteins that confer drug resistance.

I’ve been working in the field of biomaterials for over five years now. A short period of time, but nevertheless I’ve noticed that the field has evolved considerably. Since the inception of “biologically compatible materials,” their capabilities, functionalities and uses have undergone multiple stages of change.

There are distinct turning points when biomaterial research is thought to have evolved. I believe we are currently in the third generation and slowly shifting to the fourth (more on this later).

This second special issue of the Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology in a series contains another 30 state-of-theart
reviews focused on the biomedical applications of nanomaterials, biosensors, bone tissue engineering, MRI and
bioimaging, single-cell detection, stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, toxicity and biosafety of nanodrugs, nanoparticle based new therapeutic approaches for cancer, hepatic and cardiovascular disease.
KEYWORDS: Reviews, Biomedical Applications of Nanomaterials, Biosensors, Bone Tissue Engineering, Bioimaging, Cancer, Stem Cells, Toxicity.

Three-dimensional (3D), highly porous, mechanically competent, bioactive and biodegradable scaffolds have been fabricated for the first time by the replication technique using 45S5 Bioglass s powder. Under an optimum sintering condition (1000 1C/1 h), nearly full densification of the foam struts occurred and fine crystals of Na 2 Ca 2 Si 3 O 9 formed, which conferred the scaffolds the highest possible compressive and flexural strength for this foam structure. Important findings are that the mechanically strong crystalline phase Na 2 Ca 2 Si 3 O 9 can transform into an amorphous calcium phosphate phase after immersion in simulated body fluid for 28 days, and that the transformation kinetics can be tailored through controlling the crystallinity of the sintered 45S5 Bioglass s. Therefore, the goal of an ideal scaffold that provides good mechanical support temporarily while maintaining bioactivity, and that can biodegrade at later stages at a tailorable rate is achievable with the developed Bioglass s-based scaffolds.

This research was funded by, and implemented within, a UK national research organisation, while the author was the KE and Impact Evaluation Manager responsible for assessing impact on a £15m UK government-funded research programme.

This work was also submitted as the authors MBA dissertation which was accepted and awarded in 2009.

ABSTRACT: A methodology and methods ‘toolbox’ is proposed for conducting impact research and assessment from within research programmes. The emphasis is upon how to clarify and assess the wider impacts from the early stages onwards.

The approach explicitly acknowledges, and attempts to address, the known issues and challenges of impact assessment while drawing upon the resources and opportunities available to research managers and researchers within such programmes.

The study has two triangulating foundations. Firstly, it examines the academic literature to help identify and design the pilot methodology and methods. Secondly it trials these in a real programme to both test and improve them.

The study was conducted over one year within one leading UK research organisation, where two research programmes (and around 60 research projects of £15m total value) were being assessed for their impacts. The study draws upon actual impact management experience and reflection, prospective (ex ante) and retrospective (ex post) assessments, participatory contributions from leading researchers undergoing assessment, and consultation with external users. The findings of this study outline the pilot and its first iteration. Recommendations are made for improvement to the methodology and methods.

A subsequent follow-on bid to UK government incorporating the impacts identified from implementing this methodology, successfully led to a further £15m of government funding.

It is expected the pilot methodology and methods will be applicable to other organisations, conducting and funding such research programmes, required to research and assess the wider research impacts.

Although primary focus of implemetation trials was upon research in physical sciences, technology, high-tech engineering, computing/IT, and environment, the wider literature study, the methodology design and justification, the methods proposed and used, and the resulting general recommendations and lessons are expected to apply more broadly to many other research areas, where the impact is to be found more widely in the society, economy, government or public sector or within organizations, policies, professions or the public.

Interest in this work is expected from research programme managers, impact managers and assessors, management consultants advising in this area, and government funding managers, all seeking to embed a developing approach to understand, capture, and enhance wider impact.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the ability of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to produce effective drug delivery devices and implants that are both identifiable, as well as traceable. Drug delivery devices can potentially be used for drug release in the direct vicinity of target tissues or the selected medication route in a patient-specific manner as required. The identification and traceability of additively manufactured implants can be administered through radiofrequency identification systems. The focus of this study is to explore how embedded medication and sensors can be added in different additive manufacturing processes. The concept is extended to biomaterials with the help of the literature. As a result of this study, a patient-specific drug delivery device can be custom-designed and additively manufactured in the form of an implant that can identify, trace, and dispense a drug to the vicinity of a selected target tissue as a patient-specific function of time for bodily treatment and restoration.

The increasing trend of total knee replacement (TKR) revision surgery, which is associated with aseptic loosening, makes it a challenging research subject. The concern of loosening can be partially improved by selecting the optimal materials for TKR components. Therefore, this paper considers selection of the best material among the set of alternatives for femoral component of TKR through the multi-criteria decision making approach. The comprehensive VIKOR method was used to select the optimum material, and a systematic technique for sensitivity analysis of weights was introduced to find more reliable results. The obtained ranking order suggested the use of new materials over the existing ones. Porous and dense NiTi shape memory alloys were ranked first and second respectively.

Bioceramic calcium silicates have evolved as a potential biomaterial for artificial bone and dental root implants due to its excellent bioactivity and improved mechanical strength hence in the present work we aimed to convert the bio-waste into a useful biomaterial. In this study diopside (CaMgSi2O6) has been successfully prepared by sol-gel combustion method by using L-alanine as a fuel, nitrate ions as an oxidiser and eggshell (chicken) as a calcium source. Optimization of calcination temperature resulted in a well crystalline diopside powders with high phase purity. Synthesized powders were characterized by powder-XRD for phase identification, FT-IR spectroscopy for functional group analysis and scanning electron microscope for the measurement of particle size and surface morphology.

"In this article, modified -carrageenan hydrogel nanocomposites were synthesized to increase the release ability of carrageenan hydrogels under gastrointestinal conditions. The effect of MgO nanoparticle loading in a model drug (methylene blue) release is investigated. Characterization of hydrogels were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Genipin was used to increase
the delivery performance in gastrointestinal tract delivery by decreasing release in simulated stomach conditions and increasing release in simulated intestine conditions. It is shown that the amount of methylene blue released from genipin-cross-linked nanocomposites can be 67.5% higher in intestine medium and 56% lower in the stomach compared to -carrageenan hydrogel. It was found that by changing the nanoparticle loading and genipin concentration in the composite, the amount of drug released can be monitored. Therefore, applying nanoparticles appears to be a potential strategy to develop controlled drug delivery especially in gastrointestinal tract studies."

Despite the poor mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite, its unique biological properties leads we think about study on improving its properties rather than completely replacing it with other biomaterials. Accordingly, in this study we introduced hydroxyapatite reinforced with hardystonite as a novel bio-nanocomposite and evaluate its in-vitro bioactivity with the aim of developing a mechanically strong and highly porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications.