SMART Materials for Biomedical Applications: Advancements and Challenges

The advancement of SMART (Self-Healing, Multifunctional, Adaptive, Responsive, and Tunable) materials has had a significant impact on the domain of biomedical applications. These materials possess distinct characteristics that exhibit responsiveness to alterations in their surroundings, rendering them exceedingly appealing for a wide range of therapeutic applications. This study aims to examine the progress and obstacles related to SMART materials within the field of biomedicine. In recent decades, notable advancements have been achieved in the development, synthesis, and analysis of intelligent materials specifically designed for biomedical purposes. Self-healing materials have been employed in the development of implants, wound healing scaffolds, and drug delivery systems, drawing inspiration from natural regeneration mechanisms. The ongoing advancements in SMART materials have significant opportunities for transforming biological applications. The progression of nanotechnology, biomaterials, and bioengineering is expected to play a significant role in the advancement of materials that possess enhanced qualities and capabilities. The integration of SMART materials with emerging technologies such as 3D printing, gene editing, and microfluidics has the potential to create novel opportunities in the field of precision medicine and personalised healthcare. The effective translation of SMART materials from the laboratory to the clinic will need concerted efforts by researchers, physicians, regulatory agencies, and industry partners to address the present difficulties

Intelligent Control of SMART Materials for Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices

The investigation of innovative materials and intelligent control systems has been motivated by the desire to provide sustainable energy solutions, with the aim of improving the efficiency and adaptability of energy harvesting and storage devices. This study introduces an innovative methodology to tackle this issue by combining SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysing, and Reporting Technology) materials with sophisticated intelligent control approaches. The system under consideration utilises the intrinsic material characteristics of SMART materials, including piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and shape memory alloys, with the objective of capturing and transforming ambient energy into electrical power that can be effectively utilised. In order to fully harness the capabilities of SMART materials, a novel control framework is proposed that integrates machine learning algorithms, real-time sensor data, and adaptive control procedures. The intelligent control system enhances the effectiveness and durability of energy harvesting and storage devices by effectively adjusting to different operational situations and optimising energy conversion and storage processes. The findings demonstrate significant enhancements in energy conversion efficiency as well as notable advancements in the longevity and dependability of energy systems utilising SMART materials. Furthermore, the capacity of the control system to adjust to various environmental circumstances and energy sources situates this research at the forefront of cutting-edge energy technology

Flow behaviour of TiHy 600 alloy under hot deformation using gleeble 3800

To understand deformation behaviour of TiHy 600 alloy at higher temperatures, hot compression tests are performed in α region (1173 K), α + β regions (1223, 1248, and 1273 K) and β region (1323 K) at strain rates (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10/s) for up to 50% deformation in Gleeble 3800® thermo-mechanical simulator. Flow curve plots are drawn at each strain rates and temperatures and it is observed that dominant deformation mechanism at higher temperature 1323 K (β region) and strain rates (1 and 10/s) is dynamic recovery (DRV) whereas dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is mostly observed at lower strain rates (0.001, 0.01/s) in medium temperature range of 1223 K (α region) to 1248 K (α + β region). Hyperbolic sine law equation is used to calculate the activation energy (Q) and other material sensitive parameters (A, α and n1). The activation energies for DRX in α region and DRV in β region are obtained as 384 and 251 kJ/mol. Experimental peak stress values are compared with predicted peak stress values (R2 = 96.2%) and Zener-Hollomon parameter (R2 = 94.3%). The flow stress behavior up to the peak stress is verified with Cingara equation. Finally, calculated prediction results of DRX volume fraction obtained from Avrami equation is compared with experimental observed microstructure

Texture analyses of friction stir welded austenitic stainless steel AISI-316L

Low stacking fault energy AISI-316L stainless steel of 4 mm thick plates are friction stir welded at 1100 RPM and 8 mm/min welding speed using cubic boron nitride-tungsten rhenium composite tool. Large area orientation image mapping of the stir zone using electron backscatter diffraction scanning electron microscopy is performed to comprehensively characterise its microstructure and is searched for torsion shear texture components. Kernel average misorientation analysis revealed that top layer of the stir zone is almost fully recrystallised which experienced highest temperature and strain; middle layer has more deformed grains than recrystallised, showing partial recrystallisation while the bottom layer which encountered low strain but high temperature is almost fully recrystallised. Texture analyses showed variation from A {111} partial fiber type of texture in the top layer and C {001} and A {1 (Formula presented.) 1} type shear texture components in the middle layer followed by (Formula presented.) {1 (Formula presented.) 1} type of shear texture in the bottom layer. It is evident from Kernel average misorientation analysis and texture evolution studies that recrystallised region produced A {111} partial fiber/ (Formula presented.) {1 (Formula presented.) 1} shear component while deformed region produced C {001} shear component

Design and Characterization of Multifunctional SMART Materials for Sensing and Actuation Applications

The field of materials science has experienced significant advancements, leading to the emergence of multifunctional SMART (Sensing, Measuring, Actuation, and Responsive Technologies) materials. These materials possess a distinctive set of properties that allow them to detect alterations in their surroundings and react accordingly by employing customised actuation mechanisms. The current study provides a full exposition on the design, synthesis, and characterisation of multifunctional SMART materials, with a specific focus on their applications in sensing and actuation. The design process include the meticulous identification and incorporation of diverse functional components, including piezoelectric materials, shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, and nanomaterials, inside a composite matrix. The selection of these components is based on their unique physical and chemical characteristics, which enable them to detect external stimuli and demonstrate response behaviours. The amalgamation of various constituents inside a unified material framework yields a synergistic outcome, hence augmenting the holistic functionality of the SMART material. The research also explores the many uses of multifunctional SMART materials, encompassing areas such as structural health monitoring and biological devices. The capacity of these materials to detect alterations in temperature, strain, pressure, and other environmental factors, in conjunction with their actuation capabilities, presents novel opportunities for advancement in several disciplines

Comparative study on Ti-Nb binary alloys fabricated through spark plasma sintering and conventional P/M routes for biomedical application

The main purpose of this work is to obtain homogenous, single β phase in binary Ti-xNb (x = 18.75, 25, and 31.25 at.%) alloys by simple mixing of pure elemental powders using different sintering techniques such as spark plasma sintering (pressure-assisted sintering) and conventional powder metallurgy (pressure-less sintering). Synthesis parameters such as sintering temperature and holding time etc. are optimized in both techniques in order to get homogenous microstructure. In spark plasma sintering (SPS), complete homogeneous β phase is achieved in Ti25at.%Nb using 1300 °C sintering temperature with 60 min holding time under 50 MPa pressure. On the other hand, complete β phase is obtained in Ti25at.%Nb through conventional powder metallurgy (P/M) route using sintering temperature of 1400 °C for 120 min holding time which are adopted from the dilatometry studies. Nano-indentation is carried out for mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and nano-hardness. Elastic properties of binary Ti-xNb compositions are fallen within the range of 80–90 GPa. Cytotoxicity as well as cell adhesion studies carried out using MG63, osteoblast-like cells showed excellent biocompatibility of thus developed Ti25at.%Nb surface irrespective of fabrication route