Author(s): Zachary Turner
Mentor(s): Shayhayegh Bagheri, Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
For my research I worked with Alex Assadi to develop four manufacturing methods of a Poly lactic Acid (PLA) Hydroxide apatite (HA) composite. We utilized lab equipment to produce filament from each of the four methods and tested sample for their mechanical properties. The knowledge gathered here will serve useful in the biomedical field where this composite can be used for bone implants as the polymer is biocompatible and HA adds the ability for the composite to be bio-regenerative.
Hello, my name is Zach Turner. I am a mechanical engineering student at George Mason University. My project, working along with Alex Assadi, Dr. Bagheri (Bageri), and Dr. Beheshti is to develop a manufacturing method for a composite polymer for use in 3D printing of bone scaffolds and over bone related replacements. Our composite is made of Poly lactic Acid PLA and Hydroxyapatite. PLA is a biocompatible polymer and hydroxide appetite is a mineral that will increase the composites bioresorbability. This composite will allow for bone scaffolds and implants to help both with recovery and regeneration. We have experimented with four manufacturing methods for synthesizing the composite filament. The first method involved dissolving PLA in methylene chloride and adding hydroxyapatite into the solution. The second method was similar, but we used a speed mixer to agitate the solution instead of a magnetic stirrer. The remaining two methods were the same as the first but not methylene chloride was added. Having created a composite, we pressed and extruded it into a filament for 3D printing. The ability to 3D prints the composite will allow for great range of applications. We now working towards 3D printing the samples to test for the composite’s elastic modulus. Thank you