Biomaterials

Biomaterials constitute a specific group of materials with different composition and properties that are designed to interact with elements of living systems to influence therapeutic or diagnostic processes, as independent entities or in complex systems.

This term also relates to a field of science dealing with research on the preparation and characterisation of pharmacologically inert materials, their impact on cells, characterisation of material properties of tissues and organs as well as their regeneration and function improvement (tissue engineering). As part of the aforementioned research topics, the Group’s research work focuses on: i) development of new metallic, polymeric and composite biomaterials; ii) development of new production technology methods, i.e. 3D printing, 3D bioprinting or electrospinning; iii) design and fabrication of advanced implants used in regeneration and reconstruction of various tissues, i.e. cartilage, bone, nervous, muscular, or tendons; iv) development of local drugs, or other active substances, delivery systems; v) characterisation of the structure and properties of biomaterials and implants, including the use of advanced imaging techniques like micro- and nanotomography; vi) and computer modelling of new materials, tissues and tissue engineering related products. More information about the group can be found at www.bio.materials.pl.

Research activities

Tissue engineering
Synthesis of polymeric biomaterials
3D printing of polymers and composites
3D printing with selective laser melting technology
Bioprinting
Electrospinning from a solution
Advance imaging using computed micro- and nanotomography
Computer modelling in the field of biomaterials and their degradation processes
Drug delivery system

Research offer

3D printing of polymers and composites materials:
- optimisation of fabrication parameters,
- development of printing models,
- printing the designed elements.
3D printing of metallic materials:
- optimisation of fabrication parameters,
- development of printing models,
- printing the designed elements.
Fabrication of 3D structures and mats by solution electrospinning.
Characterisation of materials surface:
- AFM measurements in air and liquid (including mechanical testing),
- Contact angle and Surface Free Energy measurements.
Characterisation of materials’ thermal properties:
- TGA, DSC, DMA measurements,
- melt flow index measurements (mass and volume).
Characterisation of physio-chemical properties:
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Raman spectroscopy, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC),
- combined measurements of TGA-FTIR.
Biological evaluation:
- cytotoxicity tests, cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation measurements,
- cell imaging with fluorescence, confocal and electron microscopy.
Micro- and nano-computed tomography:
- scans with 3D reconstruction,
- analysis of porosity, filler distribution in composites,
- in situ mechanical testing.

Projects

Research collaboration

National collaboration

Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology, Warsaw
Institute of High Pressure Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
Military University of Technology, Warsaw
Medical University of Warsaw
Wrocław University of Science and Technology
West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin
Poznan University of Technology
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw

International collaboration

University of California, Los Angeles, United States
Oslo University Hospital, Norway
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Germany
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Tatung University, Taiwan
National Taiwan University, Taiwan
National Institute for Materials Science, Japan
BIOMATEN, METU, Ankara, Turkey
University of Pisa, Italy

Contact

Professor Wojciech Święszkowski
wojciech.swieszkowski@pw.edu.pl
+48 22 849 94 07
Division of Materials Design
www.bio.materials.pl