Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy

Professor of Materials Science

BSc University of Surrey
PhD University of London

+44 (0)1223 334307
smb51@cam.ac.uk
www.msm.cam.ac.uk/ccmm/

Bioactive Ceramics, Coatings and Composites

My research within the Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials aims to expand the range and performance of bioactive ceramics and composites in clinical applications.

Skeletal implants: Optimization of substituted hydroxyapatite bone grafts

A range of synthetic substituted hydroxyapatite (HA) materials has been developed with physiologically relevant ionic lattice substitutions. The materials are designed for skeletal defect filling and as scaffolds for tissue engineering. The performance of these materials is evaluated alongside phase-pure HA and bioactive glasses and glass ceramics through in-vitro cell culture and in-vivo implantation models.

Surface modification using bioceramics:

The repair of bone defects can be enhanced by the control of either the surface chemistry or topography. This research area encompasses a number of projects to deposit bioactive ceramics on a range of substrates. Deposition techniques include RF-sputtering, electrostatic atomization and vacuum plasma spraying to produce a range of surface topographies.

Bioactive and bioresorbable composites for tissue engineering:

We aim to develop composites with properties tailored to their specific application. The organic matrices range from collagen to biodegradable polymers. The fillers include bioactive ceramics, glasses and glass ceramics. Filler particles with a variety of morphologies and dimensions are being investigated. The biological response to carbon nanotubes is also being explored with the aim of producing ceramic-matrix composites with optimized mechanical properties.