Biometals, Coatings & Devices Group Research Lines
The Biometals, Coatings, and Devices Group – BCD Group is dedicated to the research, development, and evaluation of materials within the field of biomedical engineering, with a particular emphasis on metallic materials. With personalized medicine as a guiding principle, the BCD Group aims to create medical solutions (materials, implants, or biomedical devices) tailored to the specific needs of each patient. This involves selecting the appropriate material (an alloy, composite, or multimaterial), and determining the optimal manufacturing technique.
The BCD Group strives to investigate at the intersection of fundamental and applied research. the goal is to generate foundational knowledge for the design and production of innovative materials that achieve optimal biological performance. This can be achieved by controlling the composition, degradation, and tissue interaction of the material, which in some cases may require advanced coatings. The research of BCD Group encompasses various forms of materials, including scaffolds, meshes, particles, and dense bodies. The purpose is to address the entire production chain, from the rational design of material, including composition and structure, to comprehensive validation and characterization at microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion resistance levels. Additionally, this process will be validated through an in vitro biological evaluation at cellular and molecular levels, facilitating the transition to preclinical in vivo evaluations in collaboration with other research centers and hospitals.
Biometals
Metals are an excellent choice for providing strong mechanical and structural support in applications such as cellular scaffolds, orthopedic implants, and cardiovascular devices.
In the BCD group, we work with both degradable metals (such as magnesium and zinc) and non-degradable metals (including titanium and Ni-Ti alloys).
Our research strategies encompass the design of new alloys, various manufacturing techniques (e.g., casting and laser powder bed fusion), and biological validation through in vitro studies to optimise mechanical properties, corrosion resistance/degradation rates, and biocompatibility.
Coatings
Interfaces play a crucial role in the interaction between materials and cells.
By designing specific coatings, we can control responses related to adhesion, affinity, protection, and degradation properties according to the application’s requirements.
In the BCD group, we work with functional coatings, including plasma electrolytic oxidation and bioactive coatings for metals, biofunctionalisation through surface immobilisation of molecules, and polymeric coatings on nanoparticles.
Devices
Personalised medicine aims to address specific medical challenges by tailoring implants to meet each patient’s unique needs.
To this end, the BCD group explores biomedical device solutions, including cardiovascular stents, bone fixation plates, carbon nanotube-based electrodes for brain tumour treatment, and osteochondral tissue using multi-material approaches.
Our work combines innovative materials and techniques, with validation conducted through in vitro systems.
For more information regarding our ongoing research, contact: monica.echeverry@imdea.org.
