The Department of Materials Engineering and Materials Design at the University of
Nottingham.
School of Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing Engineering and Management,
University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
Contact: Dr David M Grant [tel +44
(0)115 9513747, fax +44 (0)115 9513764, E-mail david.grant@nottingham.ac.uk]
Resources:
Dr Grant’s Unit contains five post-doctoral research
fellows and seven PhD post-graduates working on a wide range of multidisciplinary projects
which involve collaboration with departments in the University of Nottingham Medical
School and the University Hospital as well as departments in Science and Engineering.
Current and
recent work in biomaterials: Nine projects are in
the biomaterials area and are outlined as follows:
- Optimisation of
Biomaterials for Bone Repair: School of Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Cell
Biology section , University Medical School, Nottingham: DTI LINK project with four
industrial competitors in the area of orthopaedic implants, to fully characterise
commercial hydroxyapatite surfaces and develop meaningful in-vitro screening techniques.
- Controlled synthesis of
novel ceramic surfaces for optimised bone regeneration: School of Biological Sciences,
Biochemistry and Cell Biology section, University Medical School and Department of
Chemistry, University of Nottingham: Development of novel bioactive surfaces using
laser ablation and plasma sputtering to control stoichiometry, crystallinity and
morphology of hydroxyapatite surfaces. Cell culture studies on these surfaces will
determine the optimum surfaces for osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.
- The powder processing of
Shape memory alloys: The Department of Orthopaedics at Nottingham University Hospital
and the Surgical Skills Unit at Dundee Hospital, Scotland: To develop a novel
powder-processing route for NiTi shape memory alloys using an amorphous-to-crystalline
route. Although the project was funded by the Structural Materials programme of UK EPSRC,
medical applications of porous NiTi were identified such as maxillofacial implants, spinal
discs and clamps in laparoscopic surgery, due to NiTi’s unique super-elastic and
shape memory properties along with its low elastic modulus.
- Development of modified
Titania for biomedical applications: Chemistry Department and the
- School of Biomedical
Sciences, Neuro-Science and Pharmacology section, University Medical School, University of
Nottingham: There is evidence that the nature of the titanium oxide film that is
produced on titanium-based alloy implants and devices can affect the bioactivity of that
system. The project aims to grow well-characterised titanium oxide both in the bulk form
and as a surface coating on titanium in order to assess the effects of the bioresponse of
the system. Chemical (sol-gel) and vapour phase techniques will produce a range of TiOx
where x is a range of sub-oxides that will be characterised and investigated.
- The surface
characterisation and haemocompatibility of NiTi alloys: School of Biomedical Sciences,
Neuro-Science and Pharmacology section, University Medical School, University of
Nottingham: In recent years there has been a boom in the medical developments of the
super-elastic and shape memory alloys based on NiTi, many of which are designed for the
cardiovascular system. NiTi has a strong self-passivating titanium oxide layer. However
where and in what form does the Ni exist which is left when this oxide forms. Using
surface characterisation techniques such as XPS we are correlating blood interactions such
as platelet behaviour with the different chemical surfaces produced by commercial heat and
electrochemical treatments.
- Surface coatings for
multi-element arrays: School of Biomedical Sciences, Neuro-Science and Pharmacology
section, University Medical School and Physics Dep, University of Nottingham: The
behaviour of in-vitro neuronal networks is studied by fabricating biocompatible
multi-element arrays. Novel coatings for such arrays are being developed along with the
cell-stimulating and sensing work.
- Investigations into
haemocompatible multi-layers deposited by CVD and PVD techniques; also a TEM study into
the characterisation of the interfaces of multi-layer biomaterial coatings: School of
Biomedical Sciences, Neuro-Science and Pharmacology section and Biochemistry and Cell
Biology section, University Medical School and the Dept of Vascular Medicine. University
of Nottingham: A multi-layer approach has been developed for a number of biocompatible
coatings for a variety of substrates. Diamond-like carbon coatings and suitable
interfacial coatings to the bulk structure have been investigated. This work has been
developed further by a fundamental study of interfaces using TEM.
- Surgical instrument
developments: Surgical Skills Unit at Dundee Hospital Scotland and Dept of Orthopaedics
and Dept of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, University of Nottingham:
Development of laparoscopic instruments and implants utilising the surface modifications
and coating and shape memory alloys research. This had led to two patents.
A new project for
1998-2000 is a UK Biomaterials Network, funded by the UK EPSRC. The objectives of the
Network are:
- To identify current and
future industrial requirements for research activities in the field
- To determine the strengths
and weaknesses in expertise and facilities within the UK academic base
- To facilitate
industry/academic, industry/industry and academic/academic collaboration that will
accelerate the adoption of new technologies and the commercialisation of novel
developments
- To encourage the wider
placements of graduates within manufacturing industries, in particular within SMEs
- To disseminate the network
outputs to outside organisations via technology transfers mechanisms such as a web site, a
newsletter and regular presentations/seminars.
- To provide a network that
will grow, target is 50 interested groups in the UK and 100 in EU, and sustain the needs
of the biomaterials industry, academic research groups and the medical profession to the
benefit of the UK population.
Skills and
services offered:
The Department’s
expertise includes bulk ceramics, thick surface coatings of ceramics, thin surface
coatings, modifications and interlayers and bulk porous structures. Work topics include
osteointegration, cytocompatibility, haemocompatibility and surgical instrumentation. The
Unit has considerable experience of working with multidisciplinary groups including
orthopaedic and cardiovascular medics and researchers, cell biologists and neurologists
and chemists and physicists, including those in commercial groups from the UK, EU and the
US. Clients include commercial companies and charitable and government agencies.
For further details
contact Dr D Grant at the address above.
   
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