Bioactive glass offers numerous benefits as a coating material for metallic implants, but achieving strong adhesion between the glass and implant is a challenge. University of Barcelona researchers explored several strategies for improving the adhesion strength of bioactive glass coatings deposited using atmospheric plasma spraying.
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Innovation in medicine can be slower than in other fields to prevent putting patient safety at risk. Emergencies, however, can necessitate the adoption of new technologies. In an open-access paper, medical professionals in England described the use of a novel technique to extract a ceramic liner during hip revision surgery when established strategies proved ineffective.
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Antibacterial ceramic coatings that inactivate or destroy pathogens typically suffer from poor durability. Instead, antibacterial coatings based on hydrophobicity, which inhibits bacterial adhesion, may be more durable. Researchers in South Korea demonstrated the potential of copper-glazed ceramic tiles to maintain long-lasting antibacterial efficiency through a combination of hydrophobicity and bacterial killing via ion dissolution.
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Continuous glucose monitoring systems can help alleviate the mental burden of diabetes management, but there are limitations to powering current systems. Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a self-sufficient glucose monitoring system that not only registers excess glucose but initiates the release of insulin into the blood. They successfully tested the device in mice.
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Carbon-fiber-plated shoes have helped runners to set new world records, but little has been published about the potential injuries that can be sustained from using this technology. Researchers in the United States and Germany published an open-access paper to raise awareness of possible health concerns around the use of carbon-fiber-plated footwear.
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Video: Translating bioceramic research from the lab to the clinic—a discussion with William Bonfield
To fulfill the growing demand for bioceramics and bioactive glasses, scientists will need to not only innovate new materials but translate them to market. In an interview, William Bonfield, recipient of the 2021 Larry L. Hench Lifetime Achievement Award, shares advice for others looking to translate their innovations into clinical settings.
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Methods that conserve or semi-conserve a dental restoration during removal often risk harming the underlying tooth. Researchers in the U.S. and Poland reviewed the current literature on erbium laser-assisted ceramic debonding to identify the parameters needed for safe application of this method.
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Determining when to seek help for mental stress can be difficult. However, the recent identification of discernible odor substances that emanate from the skin during emotional tension may offer a way to quantifiably measure mental stress. Two researchers in Japan propose nanosheet-type tin oxides could be used as gas sensors to detect these substances.
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To enable effective cancer detection and treatment, ceramic and glass biomaterials have been heavily investigated. A recent review paper provides an overview of the main ceramics and glasses being explored for this purpose.
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Removal of zirconia dental restorations is challenging and time consuming due to their high strength. Manufacturers offer diamond rotary instruments marketed specifically for removing zirconia restorations, but a new study reaffirmed that these instruments do not perform better or generate less heat than conventional ones.
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