Functional materials and surfaces

School of Life Sciences

Investigation and optimisation of materials and surfaces for medical technology applications

Our researchers analyse and optimize materials and surfaces for medical applications. We characterise biomaterials for implants, surgical tools, and diagnostic devices.

We also carry out static and dynamic mechanical strength tests (tensile and compression, endurance, service life), as well as removal torque tests and damage analysis using electron microscopy.

For the development and characterization of new implant surfaces (e.g. antibacterial surfaces) we structure and functionalize surfaces down to the sub-µm scale. We develop bio-resorbable free-form implants made of Mg and three-dimensional NiTi lattice structures, which in future could be used as intelligent implants.

Our research group is part of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics, a leading player in medtech.

Research focus areas

Development and testing

Biomechanical strength tests

Implant surfaces

News and stories

Radiation protection with robotics

A multinational research team is developing smart printed interactive robots for interventional therapy and surgery

Date: 12.12.2019
Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Projects

(Bio)mechanical testing

Testing novel implant systems, surgical methods and minimally invasive treatments

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces

3D-printed biodegradable metallic Mg scaffolds

Producing 3D-magnesium structures by selective laser melting (SLM)

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces, Design and additive manufacturing of medical devices

Albucol

New biocompatible materials for tissue engineering of bone and cartilage replacements

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces

Biocompatible wear-resistant penetration seal (PS) coatings

Hard and thick ceramic coatings to protect titanium implants from wear

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces

Elbacoss

Electrochemical bactericidal Ca(OH)2 implant coating as precursor for an osseoinductive HA layer

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces

Porous shape-memory scaffolds as mechanically active bone implants

3D-printed nickel-titanium structures that interact with bone tissue

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces, Design and additive manufacturing of medical devices

Spirits

Smart printed interactive robots for interventional therapy and surgery

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces, Design and additive manufacturing of medical devices, Computer aided surgery, Minimally invasive systems

SwissHolo

Holographic identification of titanium implants

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces

Titanium bone scaffolds

Filling bony defect sites with an open-porous lattice structures

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics
Research field: Functional materials and surfaces, Design and additive manufacturing of medical devices

Publications

Contact

Prof. Dr. Michael de Wild

Team leader, Functional Materials and Surfaces

Phone: +41 61 228 56 49
E-Mail: michael.dewild@fhnw.ch

Team

Lydia Feller

Head of School Development at the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment, Head of materials testing internship at the FHNW School of Life Sciences