OVERVIEW

The course presents an overview of the soft (gel) and hard (bone cements) materials used in the biomedical field, focusing in particular on the methods of characterization (chemical-physical and mechanical), on the mechanisms that, at the molecular level, occur during the formation of the material and how a biomaterial is designed and prepared. An ample space will be given to the study of the interactions between the biomaterial and the surrounding organic tissues.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course presents different typologies of hard and soft materials used for the preparation of prosthesis, focusing on the relationship between the microstructural and functional properties. Different methods to prepare biomaterials as hydrogels and bone cements will be presented, adopting physico-chemical characterization methods like rheometry, calorimetry, surface enrgies, also focusing over the interactions within natural tissues.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to give to the student the ability to understand how the role of the microstructure can influence the functional properties of a material. In other words, uderstand how materials of the same chemical nature can be used in different fields and therefore assume different roles, changing their microstructural characteristics. The student will also acquire the ability to recognize the main methods for the characterization of a biomaterial and which parameters, in the design of a biomaterial, have to be modified in order to optimize its functionality. At the end of the course, the student will be able to carry out the critical reading of a scientific publication in the field of materials for biomedical use. Also the student will be able to acquire further knowledge through a research of scientific literature.

PREREQUISITES

Chemistry, Physic, Material Science

TEACHING METHODS

48 hours of lectures in the classroom
Visits and some short activities in the Biomaterials Laboratory

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• ​Introduction to the course: definition of biomaterial, classification and biocompatibility
• Elements of crystallography applied to metals
• Metallic materials, microstructure and properties
• Steel properties and classification: stainless steels and non-ferrous alloys
• Corrosion
• Metals in the biomedical field
• The ceramics, crystallography of ceramics
• Ceramics, microstructure and classification and methods of preparation
• Sintering
• The bone, structure, bone regeneration, osseointegration
• Polymeric and ceramic bone cements: calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite, brushite, monetite), interaction with natural tissue
• The fracture and fatigue
• Polymers and polymer degradation
• Viscoelastic materials, DMA and rheological models
• Gels: definition, mechanisms of formation and their microstructure, chemical-physical characterization
• Analysis of a scientific publication in the biomedical field

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Notes and material provided in class.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALBERTO LAGAZZO (President)

RODOLFO REPETTO

LAURA PASTORINO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral. The student is required to present a topic of his choice, selected among those treated during the course. Also some specific questions among the other topics studed during the course will complete the exam. Furthermore, a critical reading of a previously agreed scientific article in the field of materials for biomedical use will be required.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the exam, the knowledge of the topics covered in class will be assessed. The student will also have to demonstrate mastery of what has been studied through the commentary and review of an experimental scientific publication in the materials science field.

Exam schedule