MATERIALS ENGINEERING & ENERGY
[credits: Ana P. Ribeiro]
Advancing Additive Manufacturing
By integrating innovative materials with additive manufacturing, our researchers are unlocking new possibilities in biomedicine, sustainability, and customized manufacturing, driving groundbreaking advancements in healthcare and beyond.
This technology enables the precise 3D design of polymer-based structures, facilitating the integration of advanced materials like chitosan-based additives. These innovations are shaping the next generation of polymeric devices, combining precision engineering with sustainable solutions for enhanced performance and biocompatibility.
Additive Manufacturing for Biomedical Applications
Additive manufacturing has transformed biomedical engineering, enabling the fabrication of customized implants and scaffolds that enhance tissue integration and regeneration. Our research focuses on biocompatible 3D-printed scaffolds, such as polymeric polylactic acid-based structures coated with collagen and nano-hydroxyapatite, which promote osteointegration and exhibit antibacterial properties. We further explore nanostructured surfaces and biofunctionalized hydrogels to improve implant performance.
