10-09 :: September 2010
nanotimes EU-Projects
BASF Joins a German BMBF Nanomaterial Safety Research Program
BASF is a participant in a research project called NanoGEM (Nanostructured materials – Health, Exposure and Material Properties). The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) initiated project is taking place with the involvement of 19 research institutions and companies. The project will receive approximately EUR4.9 million in BMBF fun- ding over the next three years, with industry to con- tribute around another EUR1.5 million. The project is headed by the Duisburg-based Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA).
NanoGEM will investigate absorption and distribution of nanoparticles in the human body as a function of their size, structure and surface properties. The pro- ject is the first of its kind to evaluate industrially re- levant nanoparticles and nanomaterials in processed products. NanoGEM is intended in this manner to make an important contribution to the systematic as- sessment of risk in association with nanomaterial use.
BASF sees nanotechnology as one of the most im- portant technologies for the future. For that reason, BASF has devoted one of five research clusters to nanotechnology.
http://www.basf.de Titanium Foams Replace Injured Bones
A new kind of implant, made of titanium foam, resembles the inside of a bone in terms of its structu-
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Titanium foams replace injured bones, © IFAM
ral configuration. Not only does this make it less stiff than conventional massive implants. It also promotes ingrowth into surrounding bones.
Among implants, the titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is the material of choice. It is durable, stable, resilient, and well tolerated by the body. But it is somewhat difficult to manufacture: titanium reacts with oxygen, nitrogen and carbon at high temperatures, for exam- ple. This makes it brittle and breakable. The range of production processes is equally limited.
There are still no established processes that can be used to produce complex internal structures. This is why massive titanium implants are primarily used for defects in load-bearing bones. Admittedly, many of these possess structured surfaces that provide bone cells with firm support. But the resulting bond remains delicate. Moreover, the traits of massive implants are different from those of the human ske- leton: they are substantially stiffer, and, thus, carry higher loads.
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