PhD Study : Coatings for Resorbable Magnesium Orthopaedic Implants

Summary

Bone fixation devices are often made of Titanium and stainless steel, requiring a second procedure to remove the device after the bone has healed. Secondary surgeries required to remove these devices cause blood loss, further pain to patients and are costly for healthcare systems requiring additional surgical team time. Using metals with mechanical properties much higher than surrounding bone can also cause issues at the healing site such as stress shielding. Magnesium has mechanical properties closer to those of cortical bone than Titanium and Stainless Steel and is naturally bioresorbable in the body. However, the use of Magnesium for resorbable bone fixation devices is hindered by its rapid corrosion rate.

This work aims to study and create bioactive coatings for Magnesium bone fixation device applications to control corrosion rate and offer and improved cell response. These coatings will allow for a faster healing time of the implant site and will provide the Magnesium implant with a tailorable corrosion rate as a function of coating thickness and crystallinity. Multiple Ions such as, Strontium, Zinc, Silver and others will be investigated for how their incorporation affects coating dissolution and subsequently underlying Magnesium corrosion rate.

Coatings will be deposited onto FDA approved Magnesium alloy materials and be flash annealed via a surface irradiation technique to crystallise coatings into ion-substituted hydroxyapatites with varying surface properties. Coated Magnesium samples will then be subjected to a suite of in vitro and corrosion studies to determine relationships between specific ion release and improved cell activity.

In this project the PhD student will get learn about and develop expertise in the following areas: Resorbable implant devices, coatings for medical devices, Magnesium devices for medical applications, corrosion of Magnesium (including other materials science expertise), in-vitro (cell culture) study of devices and coated devices and statistical modelling and data analysis.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living