The Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnologies Science, Education & Innovation Centre started as a project presented by the research group from Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science (Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences) headed by Professor Yuri Kolobov for the contest for founding new scientific departments at the Belgorod State National Research University in 2004.
Structure
- Material Physics Laboratory headed by Professor Yuri Kolobov, Doctor of Physico-mathematical Sciences
- Biomaterials Laboratory headed by Associate Professor M. Ivanov, Candidate of Physico-mathematical Sciences
- Laboratory for Theoretical Studies and Computerized Modeling, headed by Professor A. Lipnitsky, Doctor of Physico-mathematical Sciences
- In 2011, Research, Development and Innovation Laboratory for Advanced Materials was created. It is housed by Research Institution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Chernogolovka (Head of the Chair: Professor Yuri Kolobov, Head of the Laboratory: E. Golosov, Candidate of Physico-mathematical Sciences)
Teaching and Education Activities
In 2005, subject specialism 210602.65 Nanomaterials was approved; in 2007 – 010707.65 Medical Physics. In 2006, specialized Chair of Materials Science and Processing was founded. It provides classes for students with major in Materials Science. In 2011, National Centre for Public Accreditation and the National Guild of Experts in Higher Education acknowledged the BelSU educational programme 210602.65 Nanomaterials as one of “Best Programmes of Innovative Russia”.
Initiated by Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnologies Science, Education & Innovation Centre, and following the decision of Presidium of Research Institution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Chernogolovka, BelSU onsite Chair (headed by Professor Yuri Kolobov) was created.
In 2011, housed by the Chernogolovka Chair of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies, the Research, Development and Innovation Laboratory for Advanced Materials was founded.
Applied research and commercialization results of most importance
The Laboratory elaborated and covered by patents cost-effective and high-performance techniques for developing sub-microcrystalline and nanostructured states in unalloyed titanium (containing no hazardous substances with aluminium and vanadium) which combine section and screw rolling with mechanical and high-temperature processing and allow producing instrument blanks of titanium and titanium alloys, necessary for serial production of medicine implants and instruments.
The Laboratory carried out development and engineering activities and organized production of bulk of instrument blanks that are used for producing medical use implants and made of high-tensile sub-microcrystalline and nanostructured commercially pure titanium (the ВТ1-0 alloy), containing no alloying elements which can be hazardous for human body. Pilot parties of instrument blanks are delivered to All-Russian Scientific Research and Design Institute for Industrial Technology of Medical Instruments (Kazan, Russia) for application in serial production of implants for Traumatology and Orthopaedics. Engineering tests and clinical tests of the implants developed have been successfully completed by now. Federal Service on Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor) of Russian Federation approved them for use in clinical practice, and All-Russian Scientific Research and Design Institute for Industrial Technology of Medical Instruments has begun the production of the equipment for healthcare institutions of Russia.
An original technology of nano-hydroxylapatite (n-HAp) synthesis in the forms of water- and alcohol-based colloids, suspensions and gels of different densities has been developed and covered by a patent.
Nano-hydroxylapatite is now used as a component of the Nanofluor dental fluoride treatment developed by Experimental Plant VladMiVa, JSC (Belgorod, Russia).
Biocoatings developed in the BelSU Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnologies are based on nano-hydroxylapatite and ceramics, made by micro-arc oxidation, have successfully passed the procedures of acute cytotoxicity and surface matrix properties estimation in the P.A. Herzen Moscow Institute of Oncology. Regarding the results obtained, the implants based on sub-microcrystalline titanium with micro-arc calcium-phosphate or sol-gel coatings, based on nano-hydroxyapatite, were admitted to clinical trials. Today the bioinert and bioactive coatings section is being built up.
In cooperation with the N.F. Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, the following n-Hap-based medical preparations have been developed and implemented in medical practice: BelOst (БелОст) and Gamalant ™-paste-FORTE Plus. BelOst can be a 20% paste or granules sized about 0.5-1 mm.
The most significant project run by the Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnologies Science, Education & Innovation Centre is the Contract No.298 of 22.02.2013 within the framework of the State Government Contract No.02.G25.31.0103 of 01.07.2013 “Development of the technology for covering the surfaces of parts of hip and knee titanium alloy implants with porous bioactive nanostructured coatings with controlled porosity, pre-set relief pattern and biochemical activity” (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No.218 of April, 9 2010).
Major R&D results
The following are results obtained while carrying out Stage 1 of research and development, design, experimental and technological works.
Main trends in medical coating formation were distinguished and classified, based on technologies of surface modification employed by leading manufacturers of prosthetic implants in order to accelerate metal implant integration process in human body. The patent search conducted allows defining prosthetic implants technology development directions, avoiding the duplication of surface treatment techniques, already used by other manufacturers.
Standard laboratory procedures elaborated by the Centre is the first step of engineering studies of new-generation prosthetic implants manufacturing. The results of the investigation tests confirm that processing method chosen is right and it is proved by the results of process realization in the laboratory. The tests for complete check of the sufficiency of the technology developed have been carried out.
Developmental prototype porous compound materials based on titanium for creating bioactive coatings have been made, and experimental investigations of structure and phase state of these prototype coatings of titanium alloys have been conducted. The investigation results showed that employing the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis allows forming porous compound materials based on the Ti-Co, Ti-B, Ti-Si и Ti-C systems during one technological cycle. Such surfaces prove to have good porosity and surface roughness.
Different material options for prosthetic implants manufacturing have been considered, the material was chosen and desired surface cleanliness of the prosthetic implant parts has been calculated. Prosthetic implants were designed, and ergonomic and aesthetic research has been conducted. The materials patented also have been studied and analysed. Based on the results of the work completed, the Centre has developed a concept design and a process design package for hip prosthetic implants.