Bone, bird feathers, and wood are natural materials that are able to distribute physical stress in an intelligent way, despite their irregular structures. However, the relationship between stress distribution and their structures has not been well understood until now. A recent study used machine learning, optimization, 3D printing, and stress experiments to gain insight into these natural materials. Engineers were able to develop a material that mimics the properties of human bone, specifically for orthopedic femur restoration.The distribution of stress in natural materials can be hard to understand due to their irregular architectures. A new study used machine learning, optimization, 3D printing, and stress experiments to gain insight into these natural materials. Engineers were able to develop a material that mimics human bone, specifically for orthopedic femur restoration. This is important because femur fractures are common in elderly individuals and cause stress to concentrate at the crack tip, increasing the risk of injury.The likelihood of the fracture extending is higher. Traditional methods for treating a fractured femur usually involve surgery to attach a metal plate with screws, leading to potential issues such as loosening, chronic pain, and additional injury.
A recent study led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign civil and environmental engineering professor Shelly Zhang and graduate student Yingqi Jia, in collaboration with professor Ke Liu from Peking University, presents a new approach to orthopedic repair. This approach utilizes a fully controllable computational framework to create a material that imitates bone.
The study’s findings have been published.The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. “We began with a materials database and utilized a virtual growth simulator and machine learning algorithms to create a virtual material, and then understand the connection between its structure and physical properties,” Zhang explained. “What sets this research apart from previous studies is that we went a step further by creating a computational optimization algorithm to maximize both the architecture and stress distribution that we can manipulate.”
In the laboratory, Zhang’s team employed 3D printing to produce a complete resin prototype of the innovative bio-inspired material and connected it to a synthetic model.The creation of a model of a fractured human femur was an important step in the research. According to Zhang, having a physical model allowed the team to take real-world measurements, test its effectiveness, and confirm the possibility of growing a synthetic material in a way that mimics natural biological systems. The team envisions that this work will contribute to building materials that can promote bone repair by offering optimized support and protection from external forces. Zhang also noted that this technique could be used for various biological implants where stress manipulation is necessary. Additionally, the method is versatile and can be applied to a range of different materials, including metals and polymers.By using any type of material,” she said. “The key is the geometry, local architecture and the corresponding mechanical properties, making applications almost endless.”
The David C. Crawford Faculty Scholar Award from the U. of I. supported this research.
Zhang also is affiliated with mechanical science and engineering and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at Illinois.
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