Next Generation Biomaterials: Session II
Sponsored by: ACerS Bioceramics Division, TMS Biomaterials Committee
Program Organizers: Roger Narayan, University of North Carolina; Min Wang, University of Hong Kong; Shawn Allan, Lithoz America LLC
Tuesday 2:00 PM
October 19, 2021
Room: A224
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Session Chair: Anna Bull, University of Tennessee Space Institute
2:00 PM Invited
A Breath Test for COVID-19: Pelagia Gouma1; 1The Ohio State University
COVID-19 disease is a pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The early stages of infection cannot be detected by the molecular tests used currently. This work features a new and revolutionary approach to diagnose COVID-19 infection from sampling a single human (breath) exhale for gaseous signaling metabolites of the disease, that is COVID-19 biomarkers. The relative change in the concentration of these biomarkers upon the subject’s infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus provides an early and distinct signal of this infection. Measurements were made repeatedly on infected subjects to map the severity of the disease and to identify when the subject had recovered. Thus, a novel screening/diagnostic tool for the pandemic infection has been developed.
2:20 PM Invited
Reducing Intraoperative Fogging of Laparoscopes with Diamond-like Carbon Thin Films: Anna Bull1; Christopher Haycook2; Chad Bond3; Russell Leonard3; Todd Giorgio2; Jacqueline Johnson3; 1University of Tennessee Space Institute; 2Vanderbilt University; 3UT Space Institute
Laparoscopes are prone to fogging, which can lead to a limited field of view during surgical procedures. Previous studies of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings found doping the films with SiO improved hydrophilic qualities, suggesting their possible use as antifogging coatings for laparoscopes. For this study, a group of DLC films doped with SiO were produced by pulsed laser deposition to test their biocompatibility and stability. The films’ hydrophilicity, transparency, and biocompatibility properties were characterized. The films were transparent and demonstrated hydrophilic qualities. Samples subjected to argon etching had contact angles under 5 degrees. Biocompatibility of the films was assessed through cellular assays and results were statistically similar to the control. Simulated body fluid soaks were performed to test film stability and no delamination was observed. The results of this research show promise for DLC as an antifogging coating for laparoscopes.
2:40 PM
Investigation of Biodegradable Mg-Li Quaternary Alloys with Improved Uniform Degradation: Chiamaka Okafor1; Norman Munroe1; 1Florida International University
Magnesium alloys can play an important role in the manufacture of biodegradable implant devices. However, a major challenge of nonuniform degradation remains. Although Mg-Zn-Ca alloys have exhibited superior degradation kinetics and mechanical properties a quaternary element Li is now incorporated to enhance uniform biodegradation behavior. SEM-EDS and XRD analysis were conducted on as-cast alloys. Mechanical properties were assessed by performing tensile tests. Degradation rates were determined by semi-static immersion, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A crystal structure change was observed from HCP to BCC as the lithium content increased from 4 wt.% to 11 wt.% with 8 wt.% being a transformation stage. This resulted in increased ductility of about 32 % elongation at 11 wt. % lithium with a slight decrease in strength. Degradations rates decreased with increasing lithium content. Post immersion micrographs revealed absence of pits for alloys with high lithium content.
3:00 PM
Mechanical Behavior of Bonded-PDMS for Biological Payloads in Microgravity: Annaliza Perez-Torres1; 1Space Tango, University of Kentucky
On Earth, the development of microfluidic or Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) technology has been of particular interest in the miniaturization of biological and chemical applications. Microfluidic systems are advantageous over macroscale counterparts due to their efficient automation, low cost, easy integration, and lower mass. These advantages allow microfluidics in components for spaceflight purposes by manipulating the flow of minuscule volumes of liquids through carefully arranged microscale channels. However, microfluidic systems must be characterized on Earth’s conditions first before perfecting microfluidics in space applications. A common material used for microfluidic devices is Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS is cost-effective, biocompatible, permeable, and it easily replicates nanostructures. However, some disadvantages of using PDMS, including the absorption of molecules aggravated in favorable pH, swelling on many solvents leading to unwanted channel deformations, and its inherent hydrophobic nature, have hindered its applications. Although the advantages outweigh the shortcomings of PDMS, careful mitigation strategies must be explored to create an efficient PDMS-based microfluidics system and enhance its durability as a mechanical backbone.This work is focused on: (i) evaluating bonding or crosslinking of substrates with PDMS; (ii) developing an appropriate method for bonding and crosslinking of PDMS substrates; (iii) characterizing the effects of bonding and crosslinking on the mechanical behavior of the PDMS films using microindentation. It is expected that the results will help tailor and understand the mechanical behavior of bonded PDMS to create an efficient microfluidic system and control its structural integrity and prolong microfluidics systems’ life cycle to tackle precise experimental conditions in microgravity.
3:20 PM
Comparative Evaluation of Nutrient Composition in Cow Horn
waste and Some Commercially Available Fish Feed as Supplement in
Aquaculture: Ita Uwidia1; Osalodion Uwidia1; 1University of Benin
This study compared the nutritive value of cow horn powder with commercially available fish feed. The standard procedures of Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to analyze proximate composition and mineral content. The caloric value was determined from crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate followed by calculation of the bulk density. Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and Phosphorus were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results revealed that cow horn powder contained ash (3.00%), crude protein (9.10%), crude fat (10.00%), crude fiber (1.94%), moisture (6.00%) and carbohydrate (69.96%); mineral contents were: Calcium (0.3 mg/g), Potassium(0.71mg/g), Magnesium (0.03mg/g), Iron (0.59mg/g) and Phosphorus (0.07mg/g). The tested cow horn powder was very high in carbohydrate and fat, magnesium and iron content with low amount of ash, moisture and protein. The cow horn powder compared with commercially available fish feed will be useful as feed supplement for fishes with low protein and high carbohydrate requirement.