Bio-inspired synthesis of multifunctional materials with self-adaptable mechanical properties and self-regeneration

Abstract

The objective of the proposed research is to identify synthetic pathways for making multifunctional materials with self-adaptable mechanical properties and self-regeneration. We are inspired by findings that bones are formed by mineralization of ions from blood onto porous scaffolds and they have mechanisms to control the mineralization process for changing their microstructures and resulting mechanical properties depending on loading conditions. Bone consists of collagen and hydroxyapatite. For the collagen matrix of bone, high concentrations of positive charges are attracted by negatively charged peptides, resulting onset of mineralization. As piezoelectric materials can generate charges proportional to loadings, we hypothesize that the charges generated by applying mechanical loadings to piezoelectric materials can serve as signals for inducing mineral synthesis on piezoelectric scaffolds from ionic solutions and trigger self-adaptive and self-repair behaviors similar to bones. We will conduct research to understand the principles governing mineral deposition onto piezoelectric scaffolds from simulated body fluids.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Apr 09, 2018
Source ID
FA95501810073

Entities

People

  • Sung Kang

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Robotics and Automation.