Learning objectives
Providing students with knowledge of inorganic chemistry and chemical technology applied to the biomedical sector
Course unit content
1) Overview of the application of inorganic biomaterials. Definition of compatibility to application in humans. The frontier of research: biomimetic materials.
2) Brief description of the instrumental techniques diffractometric, spectroscopic, microscopic, morphological, calorimetric and analytical methods used for structural and chemical description of the materials studied.
3) Biogenic materials: structural and chemical characterization of their inorganic component and protein that confers to these materials peculiar properties to meet the functions to which they are responsible.
4) Principal relationships between structure and properties of a material. Imperfections and defects in solids. General considerations on the mechanical properties. Simple mechanical stress, static stress and dynamic stress. Role of defects on mechanical properties of solids. Viscoelasticity, creep and stress relaxation. Hardness, friction and wear. Thermal, electrical, acoustic and ultrasonic properties. Density, porosity and absorption of X-ray
5) Natural and synthetic inorganic materials of environmental interest (asbestos, ophiolites, atmospheric particulates, fibers): a description of their hazard to human health in relation to their chemical structure.
6) Metallic biomaterials. Structure and properties of metallic materials. Metallic biomaterials (stainless steels, alloys CoCr and titanium, gold alloys, NiTi, amalgam, shape memory alloys). Applications of metals as biomaterials (orthopedic endoprostheses, materials and dental implants, orthodontic metals). Problems, corrosion (Pourbaix diagrams), the current of Faraday, the biocompatibility and toxicity.
7) Innovative Biomaterials: Chemical and structural characterization of biomaterials for the bone implant, cardio-vascular and tissue capable of releasing biologically active molecules with kinetic controlled.
8) The ceramic biomaterials. Structure and properties of ceramic materials. The ceramic biomaterials. Bioinert , biodegradable and bioactive ceramic materials. Applications of bioceramics, functionality. Biominerals
9) Notes on Metal-ceramic composite biomaterials. Metal to metal. Ceramic-ceramic. Polymer-ceramic.
Bibliography
Di Bello, Carlo. Biomateriali. Introduzione allo studio dei materiali per uso biomedico. 2004, Pàtron Editore.
Mayes, Anne. 3.051J Materials for Biomedical Applications, Spring 2006. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 12 Jan, 2012). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written or oral examination
