Department of Materials Science &
Engineering
Module Description 2012/13
Module Code: MAT3430
Module Title: Materials for Biological
Applications
Module Convenor: Dr F Claeyssens
Module Links:
Credits: 10
Semester: 1
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Brief Description (including aims of the course):
This module will explore contemporary biomaterials science and will focus on state of
the art production methods for biomaterials manufacture. We will look at: rapid
prototyping techniques for biomaterials manufacture, e.g. stereolithography, plasma
coating techniques, electrospinning and fibres, foams for scaffolds, metal foams,
metal coatings, ceramics processing/analysis, bioactive glasses and bioprinting. For
all these, examples of recent literature will be used. The module will examine how the
properties of the materials determine it's function and which processing techniques
are optimum for specific applications, with a focus on implant materials and tissue
engineering scaffolds.
This unit aims to:
Enable students to understand how different materials used in biomedical
applications are processed and how the both material's properties and the intended
aplication affect the choice of material and processing technique. This module will be
focussed on contemporary processing techniques for biomaterials manufacture and
will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art. Students will aquire skills in selecting
biomaterials and processing by examining contemporary examples of functional and
failed biomaterials.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you should be able to:

Identify selection criteria for use of a specific biomaterial and processing
technique for applications as implant materials and tissue engineering scaffolds;

Understand the methodology by which contemproary biomaterials are processed
and the suitability of each method for a material type;

Compare and contrast appropriate material choice and processing techniques and
identify where compromises have to be made;

Design a biomaterial processing protocol for a specified application.
Assessment:
Exam: 85%
Other: 15%
Booklist (A) Core Test; (B) Secondary Text; (C) Peripheral Reading:
(A) Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine; Ratner,
B.D.;Hoffman, A.S.;Schoen, F.J.;Lemons, J.E. ed;
Biomaterials Science, Second eds, Ratner, Hoffman, Schoen and Lemons. Elsevier
Academic Press
Journal papers are also provided throughout the course as additional reading