Chair for Materials Science and Engineering

Dr. Khalili is currently working on a project called: An Intelligent Architecture of Microstructure to Modulate Biodegradation in Mg-based Temporary Orthopedic Implants

This project is being carried out in the framework of the "Experienced Researchers Georg Forster Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship" awarded to Associate Professor Dr. Vida Khalili.
Mg alloys have become promising candidates for temporary implants, because they combine strength and lightweight with biodegradability, which avoid additional surgery for implant removal. The major drawback of Mg alloys is their fast degradation in biological media. They dissolve and the associated production of H2 can have a detrimental effect on pH-dependent physiological processes. To improve biomedical performance, it is important to control the degradation rate, to ensure that the implant maintains its mechanical integrity until the bone heals. This requires strict control of alloy composition and microstructural evolution during alloy processing. Moreover, optimum surface morphologies need to be established.
The main challenge of this project is to design an intelligent architecture of microstructure and surface modification of Mg-alloy, which is required to modulate the biodegradability rate of temporary orthopedic implants.