Prof. Wen graduated from Hiroshima University in 2009, and is a tenured Associate Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering in Tsinghua University. His present research interests include data-driven intelligent design and 3D printing of biodegradable metal implants. He has published more than 60 SCI papers as the corresponding author including Nature Communications, Advanced Science, Bioactive Materials, Additive Manufacturing, etc. He is on the editorial board of Bioactive Materials and has contributed to many prestigious journals as an active reviewer.

Topic title: Three level bioadaptive strategies and mechanisms of additively manufactured biodegradable metal implants

Abstract:

Spurred on by innovative biomaterials, digital design, and additive manufacturing, alongside the fast development of artificial intelligence and the deep understanding of biology and life, bioadaptive materials and devices herald a new age in biomedical engineering, where the bioresponsiveness and automation for the selection, design, and assessment are emphasized. In this work, we proposed three level bioadaptive strategies by matrix strengthening, pore design and functional coating for additively manufactured biodegradable metal implants, including the development of Zn and Mg alloy powder materials suitable for laser powder bed fusion processes and biodegradable applications, the establishment of machine learning framework to design heterogeneous porous metals matching the mechanical properties of bones, and the construction of a hybrid coating by high temperature oxidation and hydrotalcite to modulate biodegradable performance. The biomechanical response, spatial-temporal degradation and the evolution of materials, structures and coatings were clarified. The additively manufactured Zn and Mg alloys exhibited approved biocompatibility and reliable quality. The generative algorithm efficiently endowed metal scaffolds with the matched structure and modulus to bone, and a 20% increase in strength. The hybrid coating solved the critical problem of Mg porous scaffold: uneven surface coating quality and the resultant rapid degradation. Eventually, we have realized clinical applications of additively manufactured biodegradable metals for the first time worldwide, including 32 successful treatment cases of periarticular bone defect so far.