Research Areas

In the Composite Biomaterial Systems Laboratory, we conduct research and development in two general areas:

  • Bone mechanics and quality
  • Biomaterials for skeletal reconstruction
  • In situ detection of poor bone tissue quality in patients

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 biomaterials.

Bone Mechanics and Quality Research

  1. Cortical Bone Fracture Mechanics - Experiments and Modelling

    Recent work in this area includes continuum damage mechanics modelling of the micro-damage process zone.

  2. Bone Collagen Degradation in 'Bone Affecting' Human Diseases

    Recent work in this area includes an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Jeffry Nyman's group at Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigating the role of bone collagen network integrity in cortical bone transverse fracture toughness.

  3. Bone Quality in Allograft Tissue Processing and Banking

    We have contributed quite a bit of work in this area over the years in order to understand and address the issue of bone quality degradation due to gamma irradiation sterilization.

Biomaterials for Skeletal Reconstruction

  1. 3D Printable Nanocomposite Biomaterials for Bone Reconstruction and Tissue Engineering

    Over the last four years, we have been investigating and developing nanocomposites of engineered proteins (like Gelatin-Methacrylamide (Gel-MA)) and bio-based resins (like acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO)) and nano-hydroxyapatite that can be printed using direct ink writing and digital image processing methods.

    Recent Papers

        Gel-MA based
    Comeau and Willett, 'Printability of Methacrylated Gelatin upon Inclusion of a Chloride Salt and Hydroxyapatite Nano‐Particles' Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 

        AESO based
    Mondal and Willett, 'Mechanical properties of nanocomposite biomaterials improved by extrusion during direct ink writing', Journal of the Mechanical Behaviour of Biomedical Materials
     

  2. Novel 3D Printers for Printing Bone Grafts

    We have also been working on a clever idea for 3d printing grafts for reconstructing long bones. We're not ready for the big reveal yet ;-)