| CODE | MME4109 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Biomaterials | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| 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: Inert, bioactive, porous and resorbable ceramics will be discussed together with their applications and limitations in the biomaterials world. Polymers: Polymers and composites 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) and degradation testing 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 module 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. list and describe the different materials used as biomaterials; 2. correlate the material properties according to the biomedical application; 3. explain the mechanisms of biomaterial degradation in-vivo and in-vitro; 4. describe the interaction of cells with implants. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. select a suitable biomaterial according to the biomedical application; 2. choose an appropriate biomaterial or surface engineering technique to combat wear or corrosion of biomaterials; 3. 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, 2004) 2. Metals as Biomaterials - Edited: Helsen et al., (Wiley, 1998) 3. Introduction to Biomaterials - Edited: Donglu Shi (World Scientific, 2005 |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-units: MME2203, MME2204, MME3206 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & 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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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