ESR 6: Antimicrobial Bioactive Composites with controlled Resorbability

• Host institution: University of Cambridge (UCAM), United Kingdom
• Supervisors: Prof. Serena Best (smb51(at)cam.ac.uk) and Prof. Ruth Cameron (rec11(at)cam.ac.uk)
• ESR 6: Tim Kreuz (tk585(at)cam.ac.uk)

Project Description

Objectives: Production and characterisation of micro- and nano-particles of bioactive substituted ceramics containing ions with bactericidal potential (e.g. Ag, Cu etc.). Incorporation of these particles into resorbable polymers to form composite.  Development and optimisation of methods for particle dispersion in composites and evaluation of mechanical response and degradation behavior.  Characterisation of the material properties of the composites using a range of different techniques. Assessment of cell behaviour in contact with the materials. Compositions survey using preliminary tests for antimicrobial action.

Expected Results: The experiments will result in a series of compositions with varying degradation rates and mechanical properties controlled by the polymer composition and the filler content.  The chemical nature of the filler particles will determine the bone bonding / bactericidal capacity of the composites. At the end of the project, it will be possible to rank the compositions according to their degradation rate, potential for bone repair.

The ESR will travel abroad for research secondments at partner organisations of the BIOREMIA Network (e.g. at Goeteborgs Universitet-Sweden, Ashland Specialities Ireland Ltd., Stryker Trauma GmbH -Germany) and will participate in specialised training meetings and international conferences.

ESR 6: Tim Kreuz

University of Cambridge (UCAM), United Kingdom

Tim Kreuz received his B.Sc. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Saarland University (Germany) in 2017.

• read more