ESR 4: Fabrication and functionalization of hierarchical micro- / nano-patterned bulk metallic glasses
- Host institution: Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL), Austria
- Supervisor: Prof. Jürgen Eckert (juergen.eckert(at)unileoben.ac.at)
- ESR 4: Fei-Fan Cai (fei-fan.cai(at)unileoben.ac.at)
Project Description
Objectives: Production and characterization of a hybrid micro-/nano-patterned bulk metallic glass (BMG) – polymer construct with bactericidal properties. Tasks: a) controlled casting of biocompatible Ti-based BMGs containing antibacterial additions; b) generation of size- and uniformity-controlled surface features on BMGs using the compression molding based thermoplastic forming technique; c) the molded BMG parts will then be acting as the template for self-organizing hierarchical features of polymers such as linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) and biopolymers such as poly L-lactide (PLLA) and poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) with antimicrobial PEG-functionalization by solution spin- and dip coating; d) using controlled de-wetting and crystallization for self-organizing polymer structures the bactericidal and antifouling properties of the patterned BMG shall be complemented and further optimized; e) characterization of structure, thermal stability, mechanical properties and wettability.
Expected Results: a) A proof of concept for functionalization of the hierarchical BMG patterns will be performed. b) Enhanced antibiofilm performance of the hybrid micro-/nano-patterned BMG–polymer construct compared to the flat BMG counterparts.
The ESR will travel abroad for research secondments at partner organisations of the BIOREMIA Network (e.g. at Yale University-US, Universitat Autonoma Barcelona-Spain and Ashland Specialities Ltd-Ireland, Anthogyr SAS- France) and will participate in specialised training meetings and international conferences.
ESR 4: Fei-Fan Cai
Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL), Austria
Fei-Fan Cai graduated in 2015 from the National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan) and obtained his Master degree in 2020 at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Germany).
