Development of new functionalized polymer multilayer coating systems and adaptation to additively manufactured implants with complex inner and outer contours

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Rumen Krastev
• Subject Area: Coating and Surface Technology ; Biomaterials
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 449916462

The overall objective of the subproject SP-2 is the development of polymer / PEM coatings for permanent implants based on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The main objective of the subproject is the relationship between the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the coatings (e.g. surface charge, roughness, softness, surface energy etc. or the presentation of chemical groups on the surface) and their role in the integration of biological cells. Various studies, including our own studies, show that polymer coatings can support the integration of biological cells. It has not yet been clarified which parameters influence the biological reaction on the surfaces and in which way. The aim is to modify the surface of the implant with ultra-thin (< 100 nm) polymer coatings in order to stimulate osteoblast adhesion, differentiation, proliferation and migration and thereby promoting the bone formation and osseointegration, while at the same time reducing the body's own inflammatory reactions. Two types of osteointegration-promoting coatings will be studied - i) polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings and ii) polymer blend (PB) - and then the surface properties of the coated samples will be characterized.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5250: Mechanism-based characterization and modeling of permanent and bioresorbable implants with tailored functionality based on innovative in vivo, in vitro and in silico methods