New research involving SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Dr. Winston Soboyejo and Postdoctoral Research Dr. Tabiri Asumadu, in collaboration with peers at the University of Ghana and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, has been published in Scientific Reports (a journal from the Nature portfolio). Dr. Sarah Akua Osafo (University of Ghana) is the lead author of the paper, and will be joining SUNY Poly as a postdoctoral researcher later this summer. The study introduces an innovative, eco-friendly method to enhance the performance and longevity of titanium-based dental implants, focusing on improving the biocompatibility and mechanical resilience of Ti-6Al-4V alloy implants using hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings derived from biowaste.

Titanium alloys are widely used in dental implants for their strength and corrosion resistance. However, these materials are bioinert and do not naturally integrate with bone tissue. To address this challenge, the researchers applied a hydroxyapatite coating, a material chemically similar to human bone, through a sustainable process known as pack cementation.

Unlike conventional methods, this approach utilizes waste materials such as bovine bones and eggshells to produce the HA coatings. This not only reduces environmental impact but also offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for improving implant performance. Through advanced testing methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical wear simulations, the coated implants demonstrated enhanced surface strength, improved osseointegration, and greater resistance to friction and wear under simulated body conditions.

The findings contribute valuable insights into the development of next-generation biomedical implants that are both high-performing and environmentally sustainable. By combining natural material recycling with durable coating technologies, this research supports efforts to create longer-lasting, more affordable, and more biocompatible dental solutions.

This project was supported by a SUNY Poly Seed Grant, and sponsored by Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology Dr. Jiayue (Joyce) Shen, who will be involved in the next phase of the project, using these coatings to make sensors for disease diagnoses. 

Additional authors of the paper include Drs. Desmond Klenam, Precious Etunosa, John David Obayemi, Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour, Abu Yaya, David Dodoo-Arhin and Stanley Chijioke Eluu.

To view the research paper, click here.