Ceramics@PoliTO | Bioactive Ceramics

Bioactive and Foamed ceramics

Calcium phosphates, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), are highly biocompatible ceramic biomaterial, due to their chemical similarity to the mineral found in human bone and teeth.

Besides bioactivity, these ceramics support osteoblast adhesion/proliferation (i.e. osteoconduction) and stimulate new bone formation (i.e. osteoinduction), while showing the ability to be resorbed in the body.

Bone-graft materials
Hard Tissue Prosthetics
Scaffolds
Reservoir for drugs release
Coatings for inert biomedical materials
Dental materials

Functionally graded materials (FGM) by gelcasting and solvent casting

Development of multi-layer structures, where each layer provides a different function
Use of specific technology for each ceramic or polymer layer

3D printing of functionally graded materials (FGM) by robocasting

Compared to robocasting, dense and lattice structures in multi-layer materials are printed in a single job
Higher precision, accuracy and customization of the parts

Ibridization of technologies: robocasting and solvent casting

Multi-layer, multi-material scaffolds can be fabricated by ibridization of technologies
A polymer (polycaprolactone) layer cast around the bi-layer robocast scaffolds can provide additional functions, as the release of antibacterial agent