BIOHYMAT

Biomimetic organic-inorganic hybrid structural materials

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The proposed project is aimed at developing a bottom up process for the creation of biomimetic organic-inorganic structures. The process will include from the molecular stage to prepare the phases involved, to the use of emerging techniques to fabricate bio-inspired structural materials with regenerative applications in the biomaterials field. The first part of the project will be the synthesis of different hydrogels for the organic phase. This hydrogels will be formulated in base of modified polymers. The selected polymers are chitosan (as a natural polymer) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA, as a synthetic polymer), that will be chemically and physically modified to improve a subsequent mineralization with the inorganic phase. The hydrogels will be used as templates for the crystallization of apatite nanoparticles. Before carrying out a bulk mineralization, a complete study of this stage will be performed in 2D (thin films) and 3D (blocks) with the aim of studying and characterizing the mineralization mechanisms and the organic-inorganic interface. The last part of the project will be the mineralization of the hydrogels and the creation of three dimensional scaffold materials inspired in hierarchical natural structures like bone. Different forming techniques, like freeze casting and electrospinning will be used, including a study of the different forming conditions both in the final structures and in properties. The project will be completed with a microstructural, chemical and mechanical characterization of the final materials.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Bone is a complex organic - inorganic hybrid structure. Scientists have now developed techniques to synthesise similar biomimetic structures and analyse them for deeper understanding and future knowledge-based design.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Being able to reproduce bone's phases, organisation and features would have important impact on bone regeneration and prosthetics as well as materials science in general. Scientists did so while providing important insight into synthesis, structure and function with EU support of the project 'Biomimetic organic-inorganic hybrid structural materials' (BIOHYMAT).

Through synthesis and study of bone-like materials, the team developed analytical methods important in both clinical and basic research. Bone mineral density (BMD) is a parameter correlated with a number of bone diseases including osteoporosis, osteopetrosis and Paget's Disease. However, there was no method available to measure it with good enough spatial resolution to create accurate BMD maps. The BIOHYMAT approach will be a powerful tool to study the effects of different diseases on BMD and to correlate BMD with mechanical properties of bone.

Adhesion at organic/inorganic interfaces plays a significant role in the mechanical response of natural and synthetic composites. Lack of quantitative data has hampered materials selection for hybrid designs. The systematic methodology to study adhesion at organic/inorganic interfaces developed as a result of BIOHYMAT investigations will be an important tool for materials scientists.

Researchers went on to develop novel techniques that reproduce the complex hierarchical structure of bone. Manipulating the processing parameters of the freeze casting technique (controlled freezing of water-based particle suspensions), scientists obtained three-dimensional honeycomb and lamellar structures with microporosity. The work paves the way to new opportunities in fabrication of porous ceramics for use in biomedicine, filters and catalyst supports.

Finally, investigators ventured into the nanostructured carbon arena with a successful experiment designed to produce hybrid carbon materials. The team synthesised graphene oxide in the laboratory from graphite and demonstrated its reduction to graphene in a vacuum. Both graphene oxide and graphene are novel nanostructured carbon-based materials of great interest for their numerous technological applications.

BIOHYMAT made several very important contributions to the field of organic - inorganic hybrid composites with new analytical techniques and novel processing methods. Scientists have provided a jumping board from which they and their colleagues can design and test new materials for emerging applications.