In the Composite Biomaterial Systems Laboratory, we conduct research and development in two general areas:
We can summarize our efforts as interdisciplinary investigation and innovation for improved bone health and repair. A great deal of what we do concerns structure-function-property relationships, how these change with aging and disease in bone, and how they can be optimized in the development of superior structural biomaterials.
What are Composite Biomaterial Systems?
Composite:
Made up of multiple parts/phases.
Biomaterial:
- A naturally-derived material, such as human tissue (e.g. bone, cartilage, tendon, etc.).
- A material developed for biomedical applications (e.g. implantable biomaterials for the reconstruction of bone).
Systems:
Representative of our holistic, interdisciplinary approach to research and development.
An anatomically accurate skull model printed on our vat polymerization 3D printer using our biomaterials composite resin ink.
A crack growing in cortical bone during fracture toughness testing.
A vertebra model printed using our novel nanocomposite inks and digital light projection.