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Micro- and macro-mechanical characterization of materials and devices and in-silico Models


Project title: Micro- and macro-mechanical characterization of materials and devices and in-silico Models
Recruiting and hosting institution: Politecnico di Milano
Country: Italy
PhD enrollment: Politecnico di Milano
Supervisors: Politecnico di Milano (I): P. Vena, LITHOZ GmbH (AT), M. Schwentenwein
Objectives: Mechanical and physical characterization of materials and implants at the micro- and macroscopic length scale and creation of reliable in-silico models for bone-substitute implants.
Expected Results: Insight into the relationship between the material composition/manufacturing technology and the biomechanically relevant material/implants properties, e.g. stiffness, strength and toughness. The final results will be in-silico models of micro-structured bone-substitute implants with reliable mechanical properties of constituent materials (GC and GC composites).

Description: DC2 position is about investigating the following aspects

  1. Innovative Mechanical Characterization: the DC will design and craft experimental setups to characterize ceramic materials developed through Vat Photopolymerization. Get hands-on with miniaturized samples, exploring multi-material systems and composites. The final aim will be the correlation between the manufacturing process parameters with material properties and residual stresses resulting from the sintering process.
  2. Development of advanced computational models. These models will not only simulate laboratory experiments but also account for the intricacies of multi-material systems, including the impact of residual stresses. The mechanical properties of bone tissue scaffolds will be investigated by employing a dual approach, combining micro-mechanical laboratory tests with advanced numerical modelling. The data obtained from the mechanical characterization and computational models will seamlessly feed into the macroscopic scale models. Utilize Micro-CT scanning to unravel the mesmerizing 3D architectures of bone tissue scaffolds will drive the development of Micro-CT based finite element models accounting for the spatial gradient of the morphological properties. The models validated by the mechanical testing of 3D-printed scaffolds with prescribed architecture will offer a unique glimpse into their manufacturing process.

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