Microstructure and flexural strength of the Y:TZP/BG composite

The addition of bioactive glasses to a Y:TZP matrix represents a feasible alternative to provide bioactivity to this material and optimize osseointegration. This work evaluated the effect of the BG concentration (0 and 10 wt%) and the sintering temperature (1200°C and 1300°C) on the microstructure, relative density, and flexural strength of the composite Y:TZP/BG. The Y:TZP and Y:TZP/BG powders were uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1200°C or 1300°C for 1 h. The microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Relative density was calculated from density values obtained using the Archimedes’ principle. For the flexural strength, specimens (n = 6) were fractured in a biaxial flexural setup using a piston-on-three-balls fixture in a universal testing machine. Bioactivity test was performed in simulated body fluid solution. The results suggested that BG addition decreased the grain size of the composite, increased porosity and caused a significant decrease in the relative density and flexural strength. Crystalline phases of calcium stabilized cubic zirconia and sodium zirconium silicate were formed after the addition of BG. Finally, it was concluded that composite specimens sintered at 1300°C showed the highest density values and larger grains compared to those sintered at 1200°C.     

Soft,Implantable Bioelectronic Interfaces for Translational Research

The convergence of materials science, electronics, and biology, namely bioelectronic interfaces, leads novel and precise communication with biological tissue, particularly with the nervous system. However, the translation of lab-based innovation toward clinical use calls for further advances in materials, manufacturing and characterization paradigms, and design rules. Herein, a translational framework engineered to accelerate the deployment of microfabricated interfaces for translational research is proposed and applied to the soft neurotechnology called electronic dura mater, e-dura. Anatomy, implant function, and surgical procedure guide the system design. A high-yield, silicone-on-silicon wafer process is developed to ensure reproducible characteristics of the electrodes. A biomimetic multimodal platform that replicates surgical insertion in an anatomy-based model applies physiological movement, emulates therapeutic use of the electrodes, and enables advanced validation and rapid optimization in vitro of the implants. Functionality of scaled e-dura is confirmed in nonhuman primates, where epidural neuromodulation of the spinal cord activates selective groups of muscles in the upper limbs with unmet precision. Performance stability is controlled over 6 weeks in vivo. The synergistic steps of design, fabrication, and biomimetic in vitro validation and in vivo evaluation in translational animal models are of general applicability and answer needs in multiple bioelectronic designs and medical technologies.     

Design and optimization of zirconia functional surfaces for dental implants applications

Zirconia is becoming a promising solution for biomedical applications, namely for dental implants, due to its biocompatibility, and mechanical and aesthetical properties. Despite the constant developments in the dentistry field, strategies to promote an effective vascularization at the implant's surface and consequently improved osseointegration are still not enough.In this sense, with the aim of promoting the vascularization at the implant's surface, zirconia surfaces with micro-channels were designed and evaluated regarding their hydrophilicity and capillarity. A CAD/CAM system was used to design and produce the specimens and different techniques were used to characterize the surfaces. The obtained average surface roughnesses are in accordance with the literature for similar materials. Results revealed that the produced materials present high levels of hydrophilicity, whether in contact with water or FBS - Fetal Bovine Serum. Additionally, micro-channels with 200 μm of width and 100 μm of depth were the ones that presented higher capillarity, thus being promising solutions for the promotion of implants vascularization, and consequently improved osseointegration.     

Dealing with the Foreign-Body Response to Implanted Biomaterials: Strategies and Applications of New Materials

Foreign-body response caused by implanted biomaterials seriously impedes the function of implants and is a major obstacle to the development of implantable biomaterials and medical devices. Recent advances in implantable biomaterials and medical devices have provided strategies to resist the foreign-body response. In this review, the mechanism of the foreign-body response and conventional strategies to mitigate foreign-body response is briefly introduced. Then, three types of promising foreign-body response resisting materials are focused and the advantages, characteristics, and applications of each material are discussed. Finally, prospects are put forward for future development of foreign-body response resisting materials and current challenges that require in-depth study.     

外包混凝土在桥墩横向加固中的应用

针对既有铁路桥桥墩在铁路提速和运行重载列车后出现的横向刚度不足的问题，提出了采用外包混凝土加固桥墩来提高其横向刚度的方案，介绍和讨论了其关键技术和重要参数，并通过实例验证了其加固效果。     

Electrochemically Driven Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Coating of Medical Implants

Calcium phosphates are of great interest for biomedical applications such as bone tissue engineering, bone fillers, drug and gene delivery, and orthopedic and dental implant coating. Here, the first electrochemically driven coating of medical implants using hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) as building blocks is reported. This uncommon combination offers a simple, straightforward, and economic process with well controllable, pure, single‐phase HAp. Crystalline, pure HAp NPs are formed by precipitation reaction. The HAp NPs are dispersed by either citrate or poly(acrylic acid) to form pH sensitive dispersion. Controllable and homogeneous coating of medical implants is accomplished by altering the pH on the surface upon applying either a constant potential or current. The process involves protonation of the carboxylic acid moieties, which causes the irreversible aggregation of the HAp NPs due to diminishing the repulsive forces between the particles. Deposition is further demonstrated on a commercial dental implant. Moreover, the adhesion of the coating satisfies FDA and international standard requirements. A porous interconnected network of bone‐like HAp layer is formed during soaking in a simulated body fluid for 30 d and is similar to bone generation, and it therefore holds promise for further in vivo testing.