Symposium Chairs

Sunil Kumar, University of South Australia, Australia, sunil.kumar@unisa.edu.au
Roland Hauert, Empa, Switzerland, roland.hauert@empa.ch 

This symposium focuses on the synthesis, characterization and performance (both in vitro and in vivo) of coatings and modified surfaces designed for biomedical applications (biomaterials, bioimplants, biosensors, general health care, etc.). Papers are solicited in areas related to: bioactive and biocompatible coatings for orthopedic and dental implants, cardio-vascular stents, drug delivery and biosensing; hydroxyapatite coatings; biomimetic and bio-inspired coatings; anti-bacterial, anti-biofouling and eluting coatings; blood-compatible coatings; electrospun coatings; biofunctionalization of materials surfaces such as tissue engineering scaffolds by wet chemical and plasma methods; cell-surface interactions; bio-lubrication and bio-tribology; and processing and characterization of biomaterial surfaces. A round-table discussion is also envisaged involving all those interested in discussing topics of special interest for possible inclusion in the ICMCTF2011 program.

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D1. Bioactive and Biocompatible Coatings and Surface Functionalization of Biomaterials

Session Chairs

Eduardo Saiz, Imperial College, London, e.saiz@imperial.ac.uk
Sunil Kumar, University of South Australia, Australia, sunil.kumar@unisa.edu.au 

Bioactive and biocompatible coatings and biofunctionalization of surfaces for biomaterials and biomedical applications form the key focus of this session. The main function of such coatings and surfaces is to elicit and regulate specific functions in biological systems, including the regulation of cell-surface interactions through control of surface chemistry and surface topography. Biofunctionalization of bioceramics in their bulk, coating and tissue engineering scaffold forms by dry (such as plasma processing) and wet methods is a topical research area where thin-film coating technology can contribute significantly. Papers directly and indirectly related to these research areas are solicited for this session. 

Invited Speakers  

Milek Demirel, Pennsylvania State University, USA,  “Nanoscale Engineering of Biointerfaces via Parylene Coatings”

Afsaneh Rabiei, North Carolina State University, USA,  “Nanoscale Coatings for Medical Devices”

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D2. Coatings for Biomedical Implants 

Session Chairs 

Roland Hauert, Empa, Switzerland,  roland.hauert@empa.ch
Jeff Piascik, RTI International, jpiascik@rti.org 

This session solicits papers on coatings designed for: reducing wear in load-bearing artificial joints: improving the fixation of bioimplants such as orthopedic and dental implants; and suppressing restenosis, thrombus formation and metallic ion release in cardiovascular (stents and valves) and load-bearing prostheses. These coatings include TiN, TiNbN, TiC, SiC, nanocrystalline diamond, diamond-like carbon (DLC), DLC-based blood-compatible coatings; parylene coatings, bioglass-based coatings, hydroxyapatite and CaP-based thin films. Papers on the in vitro and in vivo performance as well as simulated testing of such coatings are highly encouraged for this session. 

Invited Speaker

Stanislaw Mitura, Koszalin University of Technology, Poland, “From DLC to Nanocrystalline Carbon Coating for Biomedical Applications”

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D3. Coatings for Mitigating Bio-Corrosion, Tribo-Corrosion and Bio-Fouling

Session Chairs: 

Margaret Stack, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, margaret.stack@strath.ac.uk
Mathew Mathew, Rush University, USA, mathew_t_mathew@rush.edu 

This session seeks papers on coatings designed for mitigating: bio- and tribo-corrosion at nano-, micro- and macro-scales; and bio-fouling of bioimplant and other relevant surfaces, both in vitro and in vivo, applicable to a range of environments including replacement joints and dental materials. Papers on mechanistic descriptions, life cycle modelling and mapping of the performance of thin films in tribo-corrosion environments are also welcome. The session will provide a forum to discuss the state-of-the art understanding of the degradation of thin films in a multidisciplinary format to include the action of corrosion, tribocorrosion and biotribocorrosion environments on degradation mechanisms. 

Invited Speakers  

Thomas Joyce, Newcastle University, UK, “The Case Against Coatings and how to Overcome these Perceptions of Poor Performance In Vivo”

Sandra E. Rodil Posada, Institute de Investigaciones en Materials, UNAM, Mexico, “Metal Oxide Coatings for Dental Implants: What is Important?”

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Technical Symposia:

A. Coatings for Use at High Temperature

B. Hard Coatings and Vapor Deposition Technology

C.Fundamentals and Technology of Multifunctional Thin Films

D. Biomedical Coatings

E. Tribology and Mechanical Behavior of Coatings and Thin Films

F. New Horizons in Coatings and Thin Films

G. Applications, Manufacturing, and Equipment

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Tutorial Sessions:

TS1. Computational & Experimental Studies of Thin Film Growth: An Atomistic View

TS2. Coatings for Fuel Cells & Batteries

TS3. Surface Engineering for Thermal Transport, Storage and Harvesting

TS4. Characterization: Linking Synthesis, Properties and Microstructure

TS5. Energetic Materials and Micro-Structures for Nanomanufacturing