Applied Biomaterials

Solving applied biomedical problems involving orthopedic, cardiovascular, dental, and soft tissue biomaterials

  • Materials development and qualification
  • Ion-beam coatings and surface modification
  • Polymer synthesis
  • Glass and ceramic processing
  • Composite design and processing
  • ASTM materials qualification
  • Materials characterization
  • Mechanical testing
  • Chemical analysis
  • Microstructural characterization
  • Explant analysis
  • Coatings evaluation
  • Development of special test techniques
  • Component design and analysis
  • Structural analysis
  • Reliability and probabilistic modeling
  • Engineering design optimization
  • Failure analysis

Correlation between fatigue crack growth and acoustic emission in pyrolytic carbon provides a basis for quality assurance in mechanical heart valves.

An atomic force microscope image shows the surface structure of a hydrated Staphlococcus epidermis biofilm formed on an implant surface. The channels observed are believed to provide nourishment that sustains the biomaterials-associated infection.

For more information on materials and structures, contact Dr. Ben H. Thacker, Mechanical Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-3896, Fax (210) 522-6965.

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