GRADIMP - Implantes biodegradáveis em ferro poroso obtidos por fabrico aditivo

This project aims to create a concept for biodegradable prostheses, with variable density structures and different unit cells, to be used as temporary fixation devices, which degrade at the same rate as bone grows or tissue heals. To meet the challenge of producing complex structures, an advanced additive manufacturing method such as sintered laser melting (SLM) was used. This new line of research will evaluate the effect of the design of iron scaffolds, produced by additive manufacturing, on the resulting properties, in order to obtain the appropriate characteristics for temporary bone implants.

The project also aims to develop a biodegradable prototype based on a real case, which will be developed and subjected to cytocompatibility and microbiology tests. The combination of biodegradable iron and additive manufacturing leads to a significant change in metal implants in many aspects, including materials, design, manufacturing, and clinical applications. To achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary team of researchers from IDMEC, INEGI, CeFEMA, IPS and FMUP/CINTESIS, combining experts in materials engineering, mechanical engineering and microbiology, will work in direct collaboration with industrial consultants (BioCeramed) and clinical consultants (orthopaedic surgeons). Collaboration between universities, industry and medicine will be crucial to generating innovative, high-quality results with scientific impact. The definition of new lines of research with economic viability may have repercussions on technology transfer and, in the long term, on the well-being and active ageing of populations.