Advanced biodegradable materials based on MgB2 resistant to microbial colonization - BIOMB

Project summary

The innovation of this project consists in the evaluation for the first time of the MgB2 potential for bio-medical applications, although it is currently produced for superconductivity devices. Expectations are to generate new MgB2-based composite multifunctional biomaterials with antimicrobial/antifouling properties, and an increased biocompatibility at interfaces between the material and the biological media. The MgB2 powders, coatings and bulks could be used in biodegradable implants or drug delivery systems, handles and surgical tools, catheters, wound dressings and so on. The mechanical and physico-chemical properties of the proposed materials will be investigated by a comprehensive approach, and bio-evaluation will include in vitro and in vivo assays. The MgB2 materials are viewed as solutions for space- and time- scale controlled variation of the functional properties required for different bio-applications.