Two materials projects supported on the path to innovation
PhD student Giulio Cavaliere at the Additive Manufacturing Lab
With support from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation Proof of Concept Grants, two materials projects at Uppsala University are taking the next step towards future applications. The projects focus on biodegradable implants and new materials for solid-state batteries.
The Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE) is a national initiative in materials science for sustainability. Through the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation Proof of Concept Grants, researchers within the initiative are given the opportunity to further develop promising research results towards innovation and application. The grants aim to bridge the gap between research and practical use, preparing ideas for further development and commercialisation.
Biodegradable implants could reduce the need for surgery
One of the projects is led by Cecilia Persson, Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, with a focus on medical engineering. The project develops biodegradable metallic materials for orthopaedic implants.
Today, many patients receive implants that remain in the body after the bone has healed, which can lead to complications and the need for additional surgery. At the same time, existing biodegradable materials have limitations related to material composition and degradation behaviour.
The project develops alloys based on biocompatible elements, without rare-earth elements, with the aim of achieving controlled degradation and sufficient mechanical strength. Additive manufacturing also enables implants to be tailored to individual patients.
– We have, through additive manufacturing, succeeded in producing a material with a very interesting microstructure that can provide both high strength and high corrosion resistance. We now want to investigate whether this can lead to functional components for future applications such as resorbable implants, says Cecilia Persson.
Cecilia Persson, Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
Composites for next-generation batteries
The second project is led by Daniel Brandell, Professor at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström, specialising in structural chemistry. The LiFILLERS project focuses on electrolytes for solid-state batteries.
Today’s polymer electrolytes are safe but have low ionic conductivity, while ceramic alternatives are often more expensive and difficult to integrate. In this project, composite materials are developed in which lithium-based ceramic particles are added to polymers to improve performance.
– We were quite surprised by the effect of adding these particles. Suddenly, the ionic conductivity increased by an order of magnitude. At the same time, the electrolytes became much more chemically stable and could be used with more reactive electrode materials, says Daniel Brandell.
The project will now explore a broader range of materials, scale up production and test the technology in larger battery cells.
– The PoC grant allows us to fully explore a wider range of materials, scale up material production and test more large-scale battery cells. At the same time, we want to understand what causes these effects, says Daniel Brandell.
Daniel Brandell, Professor at the Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
Researchers driving development forward
What the projects have in common is that the researchers themselves are driving the development from research results towards practical use. The Proof of Concept Grants provide an opportunity to test, validate and adapt technologies for needs beyond academia.