Abstract

While biomaterials research has exploded exponentially over the past several decades, little has changed in terms of medically-approved products. In fact, the thousands of hip implants inserted today are essentially the same as that developed in the 1960s by Sir Charnley. This presentation will highlight some recent advances in biomaterials destined to become (or have been already been) approved by regulatory agencies and incorporated into healthcare. For example, this talk will cover how spinal implants with nanotextured surface features have been implanted into over 20,000 patients to date with no cases of implant failure (no infection, no bone non-unions, no loosening, etc.) whereas the industry standard is 5-10% implant failure. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will also be a focus of this presentation as AI is being used with nanomedicine to further improve disease prevention, detection, and therapy. Specifically, efforts to design implantable sensors that monitor human health, communicate human health to a hand-held device, and respond on-demand to reverse adverse health events will be presented. Research will also be presented concerning how AI is being used to develop nanoscale surface features that inhibit bacteria, limit inflammation, and promote tissue growth on any medical device. Further, commercialization efforts will be reviewed which are using AI to interpret nanoscale temperature profiles to enable hand-held devices to diagnose infection or inflammation after implant surgery by the patient themselves. 3D printed materials which change shape remotely and on-demand after insertion (so called 4D printed materials) will also be covered in which such materials can revolution scoliosis and other disease treatment. In summary, this presentation will cover technologies that hopefully will allow us to finally move beyond implants originally discovered last century and are still being used this century.

Biography

Thomas J. Webster’s (H index: 126) degrees are in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (B.S., 1995; USA) and in biomedical engineering from RPI (Ph.D., 2000; USA). He has formed over a dozen companies who have numerous FDA approved medical products currently improving human health in over 30,000 patients.  His technology is also being used in commercial products to improve sustainability and renewable energy. He is currently helping those companies and serves as a professor at Brown University, Saveetha University, Hebei University of Technology, UFPI, and others.  Dr. Webster has numerous awards including: 2020, World Top 2% Scientist by Citations (PLOS); 2020, SCOPUS Highly Cited Research (Top 1% Materials Science and Mixed Fields); 2021, Clarivate Top 0.1% Most Influential Researchers (Pharmacology and Toxicology); 2022, Best Materials Science Scientist by Citations (Research.com); and is a fellow of over 8 societies.  Prof. Webster is a former President of the U.S. Society for Biomaterials and has over 1,350 publications to his credit with over 55,000 citations. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Prof. Webster also recently formed a fund to support Nigerian student research opportunities in the U.S.

Abstract

Reco Ventures AG is sponsoring Start-Ups of ‘green’ projects. E-Waste Global is our most sucessful start-up and recycling electrical and electronic components such as computers, laptops, mobile phones and industrial batteries from e.g. Tesla, scooters completely and lossles without the use of chemicals or incineration and produces secondary raw materials from this ‘waste’.

The European Union is already demanding that the input weight of the components corresponds to the recycled material. No losses allowed. We meet this requirement since 2018.

These secondary raw materials that are gained from the ‘waste’ are then used to produce high-purity and high-fine metal powders and alloys that can be used again in industry.

E.g. for highly conductive (+125%) drive cables for electric vehicles and extremely lightweight housings for electric drives.

Many of the customers use these powders in AM (additive manufacturing) and take advantage of our wide range of special alloys to obtain appropriate material properties.

The lithium contained in the batteries is recycled, as are aluminium, cobalt, nickel and other valuable raw materials that are used again to build batteries.

This is closing the cycle of materials. #kreislaufwirtschaft #circularity

Biography

In recent years, Rudolf von Stokar has successfully accompanied numerous companies through the critical start-up phase and market launch in the German industry. Particular focus here has been on: Software-over-the-air, driver assistance systems, alternative drives, Car2X, navigation up to autonomous driving. Rudolf Stokar has an international and technically sound education. He lives in Munich as a single father with his two daughters.

Abstract

Biography

Luis Martínez is the founder of the renowned startup Flamingo Biomechanical Lab, dedicated to surgical planning using different additive manufacturing techniques. He also works as an R&D engineer at Cetemet. He specializes in biomechanics and the application of 4.0 technologies. His academic background and experience has endowed him with a very particular vision of how to implement different techniques in a wide variety of sectors, in addition to providing him with a great knowledge of manufacturing processes, the economic market and the impact of engineering evolution. His commitment is to achieve a more efficient global healthcare system, ensuring that biotechnology research leads to real results for society. His startup aims to be a nexus between multiple scientific branches to obtain great health and technological results.

Abstract

The advent of metal additive manufacturing (AM) techniques has revolutionized the production of medical implants, offering unprecedented precision, customization, and material efficiency. This research focuses on the utilization of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) for the fabrication of high-performance medical implants. SLM, a prominent metal AM technique, enables the creation of complex geometries that are unachievable through traditional manufacturing methods, thus enhancing the functionality and integration of implants within the human body.

Our study explores the optimization of SLM process parameters to achieve superior mechanical properties and biocompatibility in titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) implants. Comprehensive analyses, including microstructural characterization and mechanical testing, were conducted to assess the effects of laser power, scanning speed, and layer thickness on the resultant implant quality. Additionally, surface modification techniques were employed to enhance osseointegration, promoting faster and more reliable bone integration.

Collaborative efforts with biomedical engineers and clinicians have facilitated the development of customized implants tailored to individual patient anatomy, thereby improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery times. This research not only demonstrates the potential of SLM in advancing medical implant technology but also sets the foundation for future innovations in personalized medicine and regenerative therapies.

Biography

Professor Mounir Frija is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of advanced superficial treatment processes, Laser Shock Peening (LSP), and metal 3D printing. He earned his Ph.D. from the National School of Engineering of Monastir, where he specialized in the Laser Shock Peening Process. With a career spanning over 20 years, Professor Frija has made significant contributions to research and industry. He currently holds a professorship at the Higher Institute of Applied Science and Technologies of Sousse, where he teaches Advanced Manufacturing Processes by Laser Energy Sources. Professor Frija's research interests include the manufacturing of aeronautical parts and medical implants using 3D printing (SLM Process). He has published extensively in academic journals and has established a research project on 3D printing with a research team from Pretoria University in South Africa. In addition to his research and teaching, Professor Frija actively participates in various professional organizations and conferences, such as the IMMAT International Conference on Innovative Materials, Manufacturing, and Advanced Technologies. He frequently presents his latest findings and collaborates with other experts in his field. Moreover, he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scholars and researchers.