Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Laura Gatto, Michele Furlani, Alessandra Giuliani, Marcello Cabibbo, Nora Bloise, Lorenzo Fassina, Marlena Petruczuk, Livia Visai, Paolo Mengucci
Summary: This experimental study investigates the combined effects of hydroxyapatite concentration and elementary unit cell geometry on the biomechanical performances of additively manufactured polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds. The study shows that hydroxyapatite has both negative and positive effects on scaffold compaction and human mesenchymal stem cell adhesion, respectively. It also demonstrates that the unit cell geometry influences mechanical response and cell proliferation, while both hydroxyapatite concentration and unit cell geometry affect the scaffold's elastic deformation behavior and degradation rate through micro-porosity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Henrique Schappo, Gean Vitor Salmoria, Amandine Magnaudeix, Adeline Dumur, Emeline Renaudie, Karine Giry, Chantal Damia, Dachamir Hotza
Summary: Laser powder bed fusion, also known as selective laser sintering (SLS) or selective laser melting (SLM), is a valuable manufacturing technique for implantable devices. Polymeric/ceramic biocomposites are favorable materials for fabricating customized implants, and preliminary in vitro assays demonstrate their biocompatibility. However, improvements in mechanical properties are needed.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
P. Navarrete-Segado, C. Frances, D. Grossin, M. Tourbin
Summary: This study specifically investigates the physical characteristics of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite microspheres produced by spray-drying process under different operating conditions. Adjusting the spray-drying parameters can effectively control the final particle size distribution, and it is found that adding polyvinyl alcohol as a binder can enhance the strength of the particles. The produced microspheres have good flowability and meet the requirements for powder feedstock, making them suitable for powder bed selective laser processing.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
P. Navarrete-Segado, C. Frances, M. Tourbin, C. Tenailleau, B. Duployer, D. Grossin
Summary: This paper focuses on the tailoring of calcium phosphate powders for their use in powder bed selective laser process feedstock. Through the addition of graphite as a laser absorptance additive, the processing window of the powder blends containing different amounts of graphite was increased, making the powder without additive non-processable. The study also showed the phase transition of hydroxyapatite while chlorapatite remained thermally stable during the whole process. Another study evaluated the production of solid and complex parts using a powder blend of hydroxyapatite and graphite. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples were analyzed, and the bioactivity of the bioceramic scaffolds was improved through a post-treatment process. These findings are expected to contribute to bone tissue engineering using powder bed selective laser processing of calcium phosphate powders.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Timothee Delacroix, Fernando Lomello, Frederic Schuster, Hicham Maskrot, Christina Baslari, Ulysse Gaumet, Yanis Flici, Jean-Paul Garandet
Summary: Powder reuse is important to reduce material waste and improve sustainability in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Complex laser-material interactions result in alteration of the recovered powder attributes. This study investigates the effects of different build characteristics on powder degradation and aims to minimize it.
Article
Polymer Science
Banafsheh Safari, Marziyeh Aghazadeh, Leila Roshangar, Ayuob Aghanejad, Soodabeh Davaran
Summary: This study reports the fabrication and evaluation of a bioactive hybrid scaffold collagen/P-PCL for bone tissue engineering. The scaffold showed biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity, supporting the proliferation and differentiation of AD-MSCs.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tejas Ramakrishnan, Amit Kumar, Tumulu S. Kumar, Sunyong Kwon, Jose A. Muniz-Lerma, Raynald Gauvin, Mathieu Brochu
Summary: Additive manufacturing of tungsten (W) is challenging due to its high melting point and brittleness from GB oxides. In this study, W processing through laser powder bed fusion was investigated. Parts were fabricated under argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres, with crack-free samples produced under N2 atmosphere revealing increased hardness compared to samples produced under Ar atmosphere with cracks and oxide precipitates at grain boundaries. The presence of nitrogen in the samples resulted in hindrance to oxygen diffusion, reducing oxide levels at grain boundaries.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Katherine A. Pitrolino, Reda M. Felfel, Laura Macri Pellizzeri, Jane McLaren, Alexander A. Popov, Virginie Sottile, Colin A. Scotchford, Brigitte E. Scammell, George A. F. Roberts, David M. Grant
Summary: An innovative multi-layered chitosan scaffold was developed for repairing osteochondral defects, with a distinct gradient of pore size and the addition of nanohydroxyapatite for strength. The scaffold exhibited good mechanical performance under loading, supported attachment and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells, and facilitated osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation in specific layers.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Timothee Delacroix, Fernando Lomello, Frederic Schuster, Hicham Maskrot, Vincent Jacquier, Pierre Lapouge, Frederic Coste, Jean-Paul Garandet
Summary: The quality of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and its cost efficiency depend heavily on the ability to produce high-quality parts using recycled powders. To control material quality, it is important to assess particle oxidation, which increases with powder recycling and indicates powder degradation. In this study, a new methodology was developed to measure the oxygen content of powders using in-line scanning of powder bed layers. By analyzing the coloration of stainless steel particles, the oxygen concentration was determined based on Red, Green, and Blue channel values. The results demonstrate a new opportunity for in-situ monitoring and evaluation of powder degradation in powder bed layers through image analysis.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Ahmed Moussa, David Melancon, Asma El Elmi, Damiano Pasini
Summary: This study introduces a methodology to integrate geometric defects in topology optimization of lattice materials built via additive manufacturing, and demonstrates the significance of accounting for process-induced defects in optimizing the mechanical properties of these materials.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Alistair Speidel, Leonidas Gargalis, Jianchao Ye, Manyalibo J. Matthews, Adriaan Spierings, Richard Hague, Adam T. Clare, James W. Murray
Summary: This study demonstrates a new method to chemically reprocess spent LPBF metal powder under ambient conditions. The results show that surface oxide layers on spent powder can be effectively reset after rapid reprocessing. Chemically etched spent powder eliminates extensive porosity and produces track density comparable to virgin powder.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Francesco Sillani, Ramis Schiegg, Manfred Schmid, Eric MacDonald, Konrad Wegener
Summary: Powder bed fusion of polymers is increasingly used to customize the properties of end-use products. This study found that the roughness of the top surface of an unmelted powder bed can be used as a proxy for powder bed density.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Yining He, Bryan Webler
Summary: This study proposes an approach for developing a process map for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) solidification mode selection based on an analytical equation model. The proposed method was validated through laser deposition experiments and showed good agreement with the experimental results. The study demonstrates the potential and limitations of the proposed method for investigating LPBF microstructure.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hejie Li, Gaolin Yang, Shuaijie Lv, Qing Zhou, Lisha Fan, Rong Liu, Jianhua Yao, Peijian Tong
Summary: In this study, porous tantalum scaffolds with two different unit cell topologies were additively manufactured and their geometric characteristics and mechanical properties were compared. It was found that unit cell topology has a significant impact on the mechanical properties and compressive failure mode of porous tantalum. The ability to finely control the mechanical properties of porous tantalum through unit cell topology is important for optimizing implant structure for personalized medical care.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Pawornwan Rittipakorn, Nuttawut Thuaksuban, Katanchalee Mai-ngam, Satrawut Charoenla, Warobon Noppakunmongkolchai
Summary: The study found that scaffolds of PCL-30% HA fabricated using MSMD method showed better cell proliferation when pre-immersed in BMP-2 solution. Upregulation of specific genes was correlated with the release of BMP-2 from the scaffolds, indicating their potential use as osteoconductive frameworks and BMP-2 carriers.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Milad Hosseini, Jafar Khalil-Allafi, Mohamadreza Etminanfar, Mir Saman Safavi, Nora Bloise, Arash Ghalandarzadeh
Summary: This study aimed to enhance the performance of hydroxyapatite-Yttria-stabilized ZrO2 (HAp-YSZ) composite coating on Ti6Al4V implants using plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) technique. The concentration of YSZ nanoparticles in the electrolyte was found to influence the final characteristics of the coating. The addition of YSZ nanoparticles resulted in increased microhardness, bonding strength, and corrosion resistance of the composite coating. In vitro tests showed that the coated implants promoted apatite growth, improved cell viability and proliferation, and exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Laura Gatto, Giorgia Cerqueni, Michele Furlani, Nicole Riberti, Emanuele Tognoli, Lucia Denti, Francesco Leonardi, Alessandra Giuliani, Monica Mattioli-Belmonte, Paolo Mengucci
Summary: In a scaffold-based approach for bone tissue regeneration, trabecular geometry was controlled to balance scaffold biomechanical performances. The scaffolds with different porosities were manufactured and their mechanical and biological performances were investigated. The results showed that trabecular geometry influenced the elastic modulus, compressive strength, and cell viability of the scaffolds. Several morphometric parameters were identified as being important for the biomechanical behavior of trabecular scaffolds in tissue engineering applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Federica Riva, Nora Bloise, Claudia Omes, Gabriele Ceccarelli, Lorenzo Fassina, Rossella Elena Nappi, Livia Visai
Summary: Recent studies have found stem cells (hFF-MSCs) in ovarian follicular fluid (hFF) with similar properties to MSCs derived from other tissues. These hFF-MSCs, isolated from waste matter after oocyte retrieval, are an untapped source of stem cell materials. This study evaluates the osteogenic capacity of hFF-MSCs seeded on bioglass 58S-coated titanium and their suitability for bone tissue engineering. The findings suggest that hFF-MSCs cultured on bioglass-coated titanium exhibit enhanced osteogenic differentiation, indicating their potential in regenerative medicine and as an alternative to hBM-MSCs in bone tissue engineering models.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maria Laura Gatto, Alberto Santoni, Eleonora Santecchia, Stefano Spigarelli, Fabrizio Fiori, Paolo Mengucci, Marcello Cabibbo
Summary: Austenitic stainless steels used in osteosynthesis devices are prone to crevice corrosion. Studies have shown that austeno-ferritic duplex stainless steel is a suitable alternative due to its resistance to crevice corrosion and superior mechanical properties. However, the use of duplex stainless steel for biomedical applications is still under discussion due to potential harmful effects in magnetic fields.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicole Riberti, Michele Furlani, Emira D'Amico, Luca Comuzzi, Adriano Piattelli, Giovanna Iezzi, Alessandra Giuliani
Summary: The study investigates the organizational kinetics of transmucosal part of dental implants and its impact on healing process. 3D images of collagen bundles obtained from synchrotron-based high-resolution X-ray tomography were analyzed using deep learning algorithms. The neural network model U-Net was trained to distinguish collagen fibers from the background and to categorize collagen bundles based on fiber orientation. The results showed that the quantity, anisotropy degree, and connectivity density of transverse collagen bundles were consistently higher than longitudinal ones, providing precise indications of connective tissue forces during healing process.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lorenzo Fassina, Nora Bloise, Murugan Ramalingam, Maria Gabriella Cusella De Angelis, Livia Visai
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michelle Mendiola Pla, Silvia Berrettoni, Franklin H. H. Lee, Giacomo Rozzi, Federica Marrano, Ryan T. T. Gross, Amy Evans, David C. C. Wendell, Paul Lezberg, Margherita Burattini, Francesco Paolo lo Muzio, Lorenzo Fassina, Carmelo A. A. Milano, Marie-Louise Bang, Dawn E. E. Bowles, Michele Miragoli
Summary: A video algorithm was used to assess the viability of donor hearts undergoing ex vivo perfusion, demonstrating that the hearts maintain steady kinematic measurements throughout the preservation period.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Laura Gatto, Michele Furlani, Alessandra Giuliani, Marcello Cabibbo, Nora Bloise, Lorenzo Fassina, Marlena Petruczuk, Livia Visai, Paolo Mengucci
Summary: This experimental study investigates the combined effects of hydroxyapatite concentration and elementary unit cell geometry on the biomechanical performances of additively manufactured polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds. The study shows that hydroxyapatite has both negative and positive effects on scaffold compaction and human mesenchymal stem cell adhesion, respectively. It also demonstrates that the unit cell geometry influences mechanical response and cell proliferation, while both hydroxyapatite concentration and unit cell geometry affect the scaffold's elastic deformation behavior and degradation rate through micro-porosity.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Giuseppe Guagliano, Cristina Volpini, Lorenzo Sardelli, Nora Bloise, Francesco Briatico-Vangosa, Antonia Icaro Cornaglia, Silvia Dotti, Riccardo Villa, Livia Visai, Paola Petrini
Summary: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a major cause of clinical trial withdrawal. This paper introduces Hep3Gel, a hybrid alginate-extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel, which can be used to produce 3D in vitro models of the liver. The viscoelastic behavior of Hep3Gel can be tuned to replicate the properties of a physiological organ. The addition of ECM improves cell survival within the hydrogel, making it a promising tool for developing liver models.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad Okkeh, Lorenzo De Vita, Giovanna Bruni, Lavinia Doveri, Paolo Minzioni, Elisa Restivo, Maddalena Patrini, Piersandro Pallavicini, Livia Visai
Summary: In this study, PEG-GNPs@TBO and PEG-GNSs@TBO nanoparticles were synthesized and found to have effective antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) effects, inhibiting the formation of Staphylococcus biofilms. In biofilm eradication treatments, PEG-GNSs@TBO showed better results in reducing viable counts of MRSA and S. epidermidis RP62A preformed biofilms compared to untreated samples. The aPDI treatment with PEG-GNSs@TBO caused significant changes in the integrity and morphology of biofilms, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cristina Volpini, Nora Bloise, Mattia Dominoni, Fabio Barra, Valerio Gaetano Vellone, Paolo Minzioni, Barbara Gardella, Simone Ferrero, Livia Visai
Summary: The potential of nanomedicine in both the diagnostic and therapeutic phases of endometriosis is evident, with promising results already reported in the literature. The combination of nanoproducts with phototherapy shows great potential as a new therapeutic modality for endometriosis.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mir Saman Safavi, Jafar Khalil-Allafi, Amir Motallebzadeh, Cristina Volpini, Vida Khalili, Livia Visai
Summary: This study focuses on the development of surface technologies to improve the tribomechanical and biological characteristics of synthetic NiTi implants. The results show that incorporating Nb2O5 particles can lead to a more compact and hydrophilic surface. The composite coatings exhibit higher hardness and elastic modulus, as well as stronger bonding to the underlying material. The Nb2O5-reinforced HAp films have an elastic modulus close to that of cortical bone, reducing the risk of stress-shielding. Additionally, the inclusion of Nb2O5 particles also improves cell functions.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Mohammadreza Kasravi, Alireza Yaghoobi, Tahereh Tayebi, Mahsa Hojabri, Abdolkarim Talebi Taheri, Fatemeh Shirzad, Bahram Jambar Nooshin, Radman Mazloomnejad, Armin Ahmadi, Fatemeh A. Tehrani, Ghasem Yazdanpanah, Mohammad Hadi Farjoo, Hassan Niknejad
Summary: As a promising approach in translational medicine, the decellularization of discarded livers to produce bioscaffolds that support recellularization has potential in overcoming the limitations of conventional liver transplantation. In this study, the researchers investigated the use of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition to preserve the extracellular matrix (ECM) during liver decellularization. The results demonstrated that the application of an MMP inhibitor significantly improved the preservation of ECM components and mechanical properties of the bioscaffolds, which supported cell viability and function in vitro. The study also confirmed that the MMP inhibition led to the inhibition of MMP2 and MMP9, providing a novel method to enhance ECM preservation during liver decellularization.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Mohammadsadegh Nadimifar, Weiguang Jin, Clara Coll-Satue, Gizem Bor, Paul Joseph Kempen, Ali Akbar Moosavi-Movahedi, Leticia Hosta-Rigau
Summary: This study presents a metal-phenolic self-assembly approach that can prepare nanoparticles fully made of hemoglobin. The nanoparticles exhibit good oxygen binding and releasing capabilities.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jyoti Kumari, Roel Hammink, Jochem Baaij, Frank A. D. T. G. Wagener, Paul H. J. Kouwer
Summary: Fibrosis is the formation of fibrous connective tissue in response to injury, leading to organ dysfunction. A novel hybrid hydrogel combining synthetic polyisocyanide with hyaluronic acid has been developed, showing strong antifibrotic properties.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2024)
Letter
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Melissa Machado Rodrigues, Cristian Padilha Fontoura, Charlene Silvestrin Celi Garcia, Sandro Tomaz Martins, Joao Antonio Pegas Henriques, Carlos Alejandro Figueroa, Mariana Roesch Ely, Cesar Aguzzoli
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jessica Polak, David Sachs, Nino Scherrer, Adrian Suess, Huan Liu, Mitchell Levesque, Sabine Werner, Edoardo Mazza, Gaetana Restivo, Mirko Meboldt, Costanza Giampietro
Summary: Human skin equivalents (HSEs) play a crucial role in tissue engineering. This study introduces a 3D-printed culture insert to apply a static radial constraint on HSEs and examines its effects on tissue characteristics. The results show that the diameter of the culture insert significantly influences tissue contraction, fibroblast and matrix organization, keratinocyte differentiation, epidermal stratification, and basement membrane formation. This study provides important insights for the design of skin tissue engineering.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2024)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Shiliang Chen, Tianming Du, Hanbing Zhang, Jing Qi, Yanping Zhang, Yongliang Mu, Aike Qiao
Summary: This paper reviewed the primary methods for improving the overall properties of biodegradable zinc stents. It discussed the mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility of various improvement strategies. Alloying was found to be the most common, simple, and effective method for improving mechanical properties. Deformation processing and surface modification further improved the mechanical properties and biological activity of zinc alloys. Meanwhile, structural design could endow stents with special properties. Manufacturing zinc alloys with excellent properties and exploring their interaction mechanism with the human body are areas for future research.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2024)
