3.3.─────Biomaterials

The working group WG3 deals with the fundamental areas where Materials Science and Engineering is contributing to the biomedical field

The main research areas targeted by WG3 encompass inter alia materials for implants, materials for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and drug delivery, biomimetic materials, "natural" materials and nature mimicking materials. As any other vertical working group of KMM-VIN, the WG3 exercises an integrated research methodology involving the materials development and processing, charcteristaion of microstructure and properties, and modeling of materials behaviour under in-service conditions.

3.3.─────Scope

WG3 thematic scope

The scope of research carried out within WG3 is inspired by the current key issues in the biomaterials field. The main objectives are: (i) to improve established materials for medical devices, e.g. implants, (ii) to develop new, multifunctional and bioactive materials for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and drug delivery, and iii) to apply biomimetic approaches to the field of biomedical materials applications.
Certainly the name of the group "Biomaterials" encompasses also the group of "natural" materials and nature mimicking materials, which can be considered for a wide range of applications, e.g. not only in the biomedical field. This brings along a fourth target of the WG3 group, namely: (iv) drive forward the fundamental understanding and mastering of biomaterials through engineering science approaches, be they theoretical, computational, experimental or any hybrid form in-between them.

3.3.─────Structure

WG3 structure

The WG3 has been divided into three thematic subgroups (“vertical” structure):

• Biomedical materials: traditional applications
• Biomedical materials: tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and drug delivery
• Biomimetic and natural materials, and a fourth “horizontal” group
• Fundamental engineering science approaches to biomaterials.

Each WG3 member can participate in activities of as many subgroups as wished, according to their expertise.

3.3.─────Activities

WG3 current activities and future plans

The joint research activities within WG3 are carried out mainly in the framework of the EU projects involving two or more WG3 partners, or through the KMM-VIN Research Fellowships, which are often applied for by the WG3 members.
In 2017 the 7th KMM-VIN Industrial Workshop (IW7) devoted to “Biomaterials: Key Technologies for Better Healthcare” was organised at the University Erlangen-Nuremberg.
In 2018 the bilateral research and integration build-up between WG3 partners will be supported through several mobility grants for young researchers from the KMM-VIN Research Fellowship Programme.

3.3.─────Coordinators

Coordinators