Developing bioceramics for medical applications

International Conference and Expo on Ceramics

August 17-18, 2015 Chicago, USA

Min Wang

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

Bioceramics are ceramics, glasses, glass-ceramics and ceramic (or glass) matrix composites for biomedical applications.
Ground-breaking research on bioceramics was conducted in the 1970s and early 1980s and subsequently there has been
a phenomenal growth of bioceramics as viable materials for the repair and reconstruction of human body tissues, especially
hard tissues. Various bioceramics have been developed for dental, orthopaedic, cardiovascular and other medical applications.
Bioinerbioceramics such as alumina and zirconia ceramics are now proven materials for artificial hip joints. Bioactive
bioceramics, represented by hydroxyapatite (HA), Bioglass( and A-W glass-ceramic, have been used clinically for many years
now for hard tissue repair. With the worldwide interest in tissue engineering, previously overlooked biodegradable (and also
bioactive) bioceramics such as tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and a few glasses have attracted great attention. Multifunctionality
is another trend in current bioceramic research. For example, bioactive bioceramics, in the form of non-porous structures,
porous scaffolds or coatings, can be loaded with anti-bacteria drugs for the prevention of bacterial infection. Rapid progresses
in nanoscience and nanotechnology have also greatly advanced bioceramics R&D in recent years. The biomedical application
of ceramics is not confined to tissue repair or regeneration. For example, radioactive glass microparticles can provide localized
radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Magnetic bioceramic particles can be used to treat tumors by hyperthermia. And silicabased
delivery vehicles are developed for the controlled and sustained release of drugs. This talk on bioceramics will review the
past achievements, present the current status, and discuss possible future developments.

Biography :

Min Wang is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Programme Director of the Medical Engineering Programme at The University of Hong
Kong. His research interests include biomedical materials, tissue engineering, controlled release, and bionanotechnology. He has a large number of publications
in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings and has given many conference presentations, including more than 110 invited talks, at international
conferences. He is an elected fellow or academician of professional societies in the UK, USA, Hong Kong and the world (FIMMM, 2001; FIMechE, 2007; FHKIE,
2010; FBSE, 2011; AIMBE Fellow, 2012; WAC Academician, 2013).