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3D printing of glass-ceramic-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Project title: 3D printing of glass-ceramic-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Recruiting and hosting institution: Politecnico di Torino
Country: Italy
PhD enrollment: Politecnico di Torino
Supervisors: Francesco Baino (Politecnico di Torino, Italy), Islam Abdeldjalil Bouakaz (CERHUM, Belgium).
Objectives: To develop knowledge in the synthesis of bioceramic and bioactive glass/ceramic composite materials obtained through vat photopolymerization (VPP) technique.
Expected Results: (i) Selection of the materials to be printed (e.g. calcium phosphate bioceramics, zirconia, silicate bioactive glasses, glass-ceramics and composites thereof) in terms of formulation and physico-chemical characteristics (e.g. particle size, solubility in biological fluids); (ii) processing of these materials through VPP and achievement of a production protocol; (iii) characterization of 3D-printed scaffolds from physico-chemical, mechanical and biological viewpoints (in vitro culture with cells, testing inside a bioreactor).

Description: Specifically, DC3 position is about investigating the following aspects:

  1. Development and selection of materials according to functional (e.g., the need for bioactivity) and manufacturability (i.e., VPP-related) requirements. Bioactive silicate glasses and glass-ceramics will be synthesized in the form of powders and characterized in terms of morphology, particle size and composition. Commercial calcium phosphate bioceramic powders will be also analysed. Particle size will be properly modulated according to the needs dictated by the manufacturing method. Glass-ceramic-based blends will also be prepared in order to produce composites with improved properties. Thermal behaviour and sinter-crystallization of glasses will be analysed by multiple and complementary techniques (e.g. DSC/DTA, HSM, XRD), as scaffold production requires high-temperature consolidation. Glass softening, densification and phase transitions upon heating will be thoroughly investigated.
  2. 3D printing of bone-substitute implants based on the materials developed at the point (i); VPP will be the preferred additive manufacturing technology for making scaffolds.
  3. Characterization of 3D-printed scaffolds (see point (ii)), which have also been optimized for selected clinical cases, from morphological, structural, mechanical and biological (in vitro with cells and inside a bioreactor) viewpoints.

The Doctoral Candidate will interact with other members of the project in a multidisciplinary setting by taking part in training sessions and workshops. The DC will also conduct secondments in order to broaden her/his scientific understanding of the project’s subject and develop soft skills. Exchange of materials with other DCs is also forecast to strengthen the research network.