OVERVIEW

In this class, cognitive tools are provided for understanding the correlation between molecular characteristics, physical-mechanical properties, and viscoelastic behavior of polymer-based materials in view of their use in manufacturing processes in general and biomedical applications in particular.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the main chemical, rheological, mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties of polymers, polymer composites and biomaterials. Structure-property correlations of polymers, composites and nanocomposites. Basic notions of biofunctionality, biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of polymer-based materials. Examples of specific applications and development strategies of composites, nanocomposites and biomaterials.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The class aims to provide the fundamental principles underlying the design and production of polymer-based formulations in order to develop the student's ability to apply the theoretical notions to the preparation, functionalization and characterization of innovative materials and systems to be applied in various application domains, including the biomedical ones.

At the end of the class the students will be able to:

•            correlate the chemical-physical, mechanical and rheological properties of polymer-based materials to their composition and structure and their uses;

•            identify and critically discuss the data available from mechanical, dynamical-mechanical and rheological characterization techniques of polymer-based materials;

•            correlate the properties of polymer-based materials with their biocompatibility/hemocompatibility;

•            know the current production technologies to produce biomedical devices according to their specific use.

The class is entirely borrowed for the students of the Master Degree in Sustainable Polymer and Process Chemistry.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

The class consists of traditional lectures for a total of 40 hours (5 CFU) and a theoretical-practical laboratory part of 13 hours (1 CFU). Attendance at laboratory activities is compulsory.

During the practical activities, the students, divided into groups, will have to apply the experimental protocols proposed for the characterization of polymer-based materials under the guidance of the professors in charge. At the end of the experimental activity, students will have to deliver a brief report with the results obtained. Organization and dates of the laboratory activities will be communicated at the end of the traditional lectures.

To facilitate learning, lesson notes are uploaded to the corresponding aul@web page simultaneously with their presentation in the classroom.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part I (2,5 CFU):

Theory and modeling of the linear viscolelastic model.

Mechanical properties of polymer-based materials at large and small deformations.

Rheology of polymer-based fluids.

Introduction to composites and nanocomposites.

Part II (2,5 CFU):

Classification of biomaterials. Biodegradable, bioresorbable, bioactive materials.

Definition of biostability, biocompatibility, hemocompatibility and thrombogenicity of polymer-based materials.

Polymer-based biomaterials for orthopedic, dental, and ophthalmological devices.

Polymer-based biomaterials for cardiovascular devices.

Tissue engineering and biomimetic materials.

Mono-, bi-, and tridimensional scaffolds for tissue architecture: materials and fabrication techniques.

Part III (1 technical-practical CFU).

Two laboratory experiences on rheological, mechanical and dynamic-mechanical characterization of polymer-based materials for biomedical applications.

Based on the content described, the class contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the ONU 2030 Agenda: Goal 4. Quality Education, Goal 5. Gender Equality and Goal 12. Responsible consumption and production.

As a quality assurance, the detailed class program is uploaded to the corresponding aula@web page, so the students can verify the correspondence between topics and learning outcomes.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following supporting texts are suggested limited to the program contents:

M.T. Shaw, W.J. Mac Knight "Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticity", 3nd edition, Wiley 2005

H.A. Barnes, J.F. Hutton, K. Walters " An introduction to rheology", 1st Edition, Volume 3 - June 1, 1989

L.E. Nielsen "Mechanical Properties of Polymers and composites Vol 1 e 2", New York: Marcel Dekker 1974

J.D. Ferry “Viscoelastic properties of polymers”, John Wiley & Son 1980

A. Atala, “Principles of regenerative medicine”, 2nd edition, London: Academic, 2010

“Perspectives on biomaterials: proceedings on the 1985 International Symposium on Biomaterials”, O.C.C- Lin & E.Y.S. Chao, Eds., 1985 (CSB Chimica)

J.B. Park, R.S. Lakes, “Biomaterials-An Introduction”, Springer-Verlag, N.Y. Inc., 2007

A.F. von Recum, “Handbook of Biomaterials Evaluation: Scientific, Technical and Clinical Testing of Implant Materials”, CRC Press, 1999 (ISBN 1560324791).

Specific indication on reference bibliography regarding the program parts will be provided by the professors at the beginning of the lectures.

Supplementary material is provided on request to working students or students with SLD.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons timetable is available within the link below:

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test and an oral test conducted by the two professors in charge.  Number and distribution of exam sessions during the academic year are scheduled based on the rules established by the Manifesto degli Studi and Regolamento del Corso di Studio.

The written test consists of:

-10 multiple choice questions or true/false questions: 1 point is awarded for each correct answer, 0 points are awarded for each wrong or no answer; for questions that require more than one correct answer, the score may be expressed in fractional terms based on the number of correct answers identified;

-5 open problems or questions: up to 3 points will be awarded for each problem or question.

The written test is awarded a maximum rating of 25/30. The time available for the test is 120 minutes.

The oral test, which is given a maximum grade of 5/30, consists of the discussion of the laboratory report.

Students enter the oral test if they have acquired a score of 13/30 or higher in the written test; if the students have acquired a score of 18/30 or higher in the written test, the oral test is optional.

We recommend the students who wish to discuss accommodation regarding the exams to contact by e-mail the professor in charge and the contact person for disability at the School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) at least 10 days before the examination date.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination will aim to check the effective achievement of the learning outcomes by the student relatively to:

- the capability to correlate the properties of polymer-based materials and composites to their composition and structure as well as their uses in manufacturing processes;

- the capability to correlate the potential biocompatibility/hemocompatibility of polymer-based materials and composites with their molecular properties and the application domains;

- the capability to compare and integrate the data available from the characterization techniques studied and from the correlation structure-property models included in the teaching program.

Moreover, the examination will assess if the student has reached an adequate level of topics mastery and language skills.

Otherwise, the students are invited to deepen their preparation also by taking advantage of further explanations by the teacher before repeating the exam.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professors in charge for other information not included in the teaching schedule.