| CODE | MME4100 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Biomaterials | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Metallurgy and Materials Engineering | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Introduction: An outline on the classes of materials which are currently being used as biomaterials. Metals: The four alloys: stainless steels, cobalt-chromium, titanium and refractory metals will be discussed together with their applications and limitations. Ceramics: Ceramics, Glasses and Glass-Ceramics will be discussed together with their applications and limitations in the biomaterials world. Polymers: Polymers, composites, hydro-gels, medical fibres and textiles will be covered together with their possible applications and limitations in medicine. Surface Engineering : A brief insight of how to improve biomaterials by surface engineering will be given. Testing: Biological Testing of Biomaterials - In vitro and in vivo. Study-unit Aims The objective is to provide a balanced, insightful view of biomaterials. It will provide a comprehensive coverage of principles and applications of different classes of biomaterials. This study-unit covers the broad spectrum of biomaterials compositions including: 1. polymers 2. metals 3. ceramics 4. composites. The successes and failures of biomaterials application in clinical medicine will be outlined. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Knowledge of the different materials used as biomaterials. 2. Understanding the material properties according to the biomedical application 3. Understanding the mechanisms of biomaterial degradation in-vivo. 4. Basic biological knowledge of the interaction of cells with implants. 2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Be able to select a suitable biomaterial according to the biomedical application 2. Be able to choose an appropriate alloy or surface engineering technique to combat wear or corrosion of biomaterials 3. Be able to test biomaterials: biocompatibility (in vivo and in vitro), degradation and mechanical properties. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings 1. Biomaterials Science: An introduction to materials in medicine - Ratner et al., (Elsevier) 2. Metals as Biomaterials - Edited: Helsen et al., (Wiley) 3. Introduction to Biomaterials - Edited: Donglu Shi (World Scientific) 4. Other texts on Biomaterials are available at the UOM library |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE MME2003 AND TAKE MME3003 AND TAKE MME2001 AND TAKE MME3007 | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph Buhagiar |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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