Graduate Student Seminar

Abstract: While metallic implants such as orthopedic screws, vascular stents, and litigation clips are commonly used in load-bearing scenarios, their permanent nature can lead to complications such as stress shielding, long-term inflammation, and second surgical interventions for device retrieval. Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys offer attractive alternatives as they degrade safely in the body and offer an impressive combination of physical properties and degradation products. Mg’s density and elastic modulus are close to those of cortical bone and the similar modulus helps to reduce stress shielding in orthopedic applications. As an essential element in the body, Mg’s degradation products are tolerated well in vivo and its ions participate in critical physiological processes such as osteogenesis. These benefits and years of development have led to multiple clinical translations. I will begin by contrasting common permanent implant metals, such as stainless steel and Ti-6-4, with biodegradable Mg alloys and highlight translations into the clinical setting. I will then highlight three studies of Mg alloys: the development of biodegradable scaffolds through 3D weaving, the use of ML to direct thermal and mechanical processing to achieve superior resistance to deformation and degradation, and the impact of microstructure on in vivo performance. Timothy Weihs, a professor of materials science and engineering, focuses on the fabrication, characterization, and application of reactive, structural, and biodegradable materials. He is driven by an interest in developing an understanding of how novel processing and chemistries can deliver unique microstructures and properties for scientific studies and specific applications. Weihs is a member of the Materials Research Society; The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society; and a fellow of the American Society for Metals. His awards include an NSF Career Award, a 3M Young Faculty Fellowship, an R&D 100 Award, an Innovator of the Year