Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
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The technology for synthesizing high-quality submicron α-Al₂O₃ powder for the production of medical ceramics using domestic raw materials was developed at the NTI Center for New Functional Materials at NSU by scientists from the Novosibirsk State Technical University NETI under the leadership of the head of the Laboratory of Ceramic and Metal-Ceramic Materials, candidate of technical sciences Sergei Veselov.
The project is being implemented with the financial support of the NTI Foundation at the Competence Center of the National Technology Initiative in the direction of "Technologies for modeling and developing new functional materials with specified properties" based at the Novosibirsk State University. As part of the project, the scientific team of the participant of the Consortium for New Functional Materials — NSTU NETI — had the goal of creating a full cycle of production of bioinert ceramics for joint endoprostheses: from the synthesis of ceramic powder to the release of finished products.
— Ceramic materials based on aluminum oxide and zirconium dioxide are widely used to manufacture endoprostheses that are subject to intense loads during operation — hip and knee joints. First of all, due to such advantages as high wear resistance, the service life of a ceramic implant reaches 20 years — unlike a metal analogue. In addition, the wear products of joint ceramics do not exhibit cytotoxicity — the materials are bioinert with respect to the human body. Today, the leaders in the production of aluminum oxide ceramics for large joints, primarily hip and knee joints, are Japan, Switzerland and Germany. In Russia, there is no production of ceramic raw materials for medical ceramics, so the country is significantly dependent on imports of ceramic components for endoprostheses. In this regard, we have set ourselves the task of developing a complete domestic production chain based on Russian components: from raw materials to finished products, — noted Sergey Veselov.
In the process of developing the technology for synthesizing submicron α-Al₂O₃ powder, the team of the ceramic and metal-ceramic materials laboratory managed to achieve additional capabilities in terms of managing the physical and mechanical properties of the final ceramic material. In particular, methods for managing the geometric characteristics of the synthesized powder were mastered, which allows obtaining ceramics with specified mechanical properties.
Experimental samples of ceramic powder developed at NSTU NETI demonstrate characteristics comparable to the products of leading global manufacturers: chemical purity of more than 99.5%, dispersion of less than 0.5 μm and phase composition of more than 99% α-Al₂O₃.
The powder synthesized in the laboratory has already been successfully tested to create alumina ceramics in laboratory conditions.
Currently, the research team led by Sergey Veselov, together with the NTI Center for New Functional Materials of NSU, has launched the process of patenting key stages of the powder creation technology. The NTI Center and its team of developers have also begun commercializing the developed materials and their production technologies. The next stage of the work is to find industrial partners for the widespread introduction of new functional materials for medicine and their production technologies into production.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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