COAT4BIO

In this project, novel ZrCu-based ternary to quinternary Thin Film Metallic Glasse (TFMGs), comprising 3 to 5 constituents, are proposed to be prepared as protective coatings for dental and orthopaedic implants or for their metallic components which are in direct contact with bone. A novel TFMG type consisting of Zr-Cu-X where X will be Si, Mg, Ca, Sr, Mo in various combinations will be produced. It is expected that such structures will possess high hardness, good adhesion to metallic substrate, elastic modulus close to those of bone, low internal stress, resistance against wear and corrosion, low friction coefficient and wear rate, good bioactive, osseoconductive and antibacterial properties, leading to an increased service life of the implants. As substrates different types of the commonly bioalloys will be used (ie 316SS, Ti6Al4V, TiZrNb etc.) as discs.
Coatings preparation will be performed by two PVD deposition methods under high vacuum: magnetron sputtering method by using a complex deposition system; and cathodic arc technique by using a system with high deposition rate.
Various characterization techniques will be used, in order to give clear conclusions on the performance of the TFMGs.

Planned objective

Achieved objective

Technological impact

Obtaining thin layers based on ZrCu in ternary or quaternary structures based on metallic glasses, with the aim of being used as protective layers for the surfaces of orthopedic and dental implants or their metal components that come into direct contact with bone.

Development of TFMG coatings based on ZrCu in ternary structures.

Development of TFMG coatings based on ZrCu in quaternary structures.

Development of TFMG coatings based on ZrCu in quinary structures.

Validation of the developed coatings with improved properties compared to the uncoated ones.

All developed coatings have been characterized using various techniques, and the conclusions were:

The developed coatings exhibited high hardness, good adhesion to the metal substrate, and low internal stresses.

The developed coatings proved to be resistant to wear and corrosion, with low friction coefficients and wear rates compared to the uncoated substrates.

The developed coatings showed bioactive and antibacterial abilities.

Conclusion: The results indicated that the developed coatings could contribute to the increased lifetime of metallic implants made of stainless steel 316L or Ti6Al4V alloy.

Increase of visibility of team

1 patent application

Biocompatible thin films based on thin film metallic glasses used in orthopedy, A.Vladescu (Dragomir), A.C.Parau, C.Vitelaru, L.R.Constantin, I.Pana, M.Dinu, submitted to OSIM - no. A/00544/07.09.2022

4 papers published in ISI journals

6 papers published in ISI journals
Cumulated IF = 32.452

Min 6 papers presented at conferences

23 papers: 3 invited papers, 8 oral presentations and 12 posters

Awards

9 gold medals, 2 silver medals, 2 diploma of excellence, 2 special awards

Academic impact

The project team involved young researchers who had the opportunity to enrich their scientific knowledge in the cutting-edge field addressed by the current project: 8 people under the age of 45 (80% of the total).

During he project, 3 postdoctoral researchers, 3 doctoral students, 1 master's student, and 1 undergraduate student were involved in the research team, providing them with the opportunity to work with the laboratory equipment to analyze the new materials developed in the project, thus acquiring valuable knowledge. Some of them completed their master's/undergraduate studies with papers on the project's theme as follows: 3 master's students defended their dissertations, one of whom was employed at INOE after completing his studies (G.A.Juravlea) and enrolling in doctoral studies.

In 2023, various professional training activities were conducted within the institute, one of which involved members of the research team participating in the "Project Risk Management" course: Catalin Vitelaru; Iulian Pana; Alina Vladescu (Dragomir); Mihaela Dinu; Anca Parau; Lidia R. Constantin. Following this training, the participants gained skills to apply the most modern techniques for identifying project risks, assessing and quantifying risk, and designing the most effective risk response strategies to successfully complete the project. Methods and techniques for efficient risk analysis were presented and exemplified to take necessary measures to eliminate or reduce risks that could affect the project.

Planned objective	Achieved objective
Technological impact
Obtaining thin layers based on ZrCu in ternary or quaternary structures based on metallic glasses, with the aim of being used as protective layers for the surfaces of orthopedic and dental implants or their metal components that come into direct contact with bone.	Development of TFMG coatings based on ZrCu in ternary structures. Development of TFMG coatings based on ZrCu in quaternary structures. Development of TFMG coatings based on ZrCu in quinary structures.
Validation of the developed coatings with improved properties compared to the uncoated ones.	All developed coatings have been characterized using various techniques, and the conclusions were: The developed coatings exhibited high hardness, good adhesion to the metal substrate, and low internal stresses. The developed coatings proved to be resistant to wear and corrosion, with low friction coefficients and wear rates compared to the uncoated substrates. The developed coatings showed bioactive and antibacterial abilities. Conclusion: The results indicated that the developed coatings could contribute to the increased lifetime of metallic implants made of stainless steel 316L or Ti6Al4V alloy.
Increase of visibility of team
1 patent application	Biocompatible thin films based on thin film metallic glasses used in orthopedy, A.Vladescu (Dragomir), A.C.Parau, C.Vitelaru, L.R.Constantin, I.Pana, M.Dinu, submitted to OSIM - no. A/00544/07.09.2022
4 papers published in ISI journals	6 papers published in ISI journals *Cumulated IF = 32.452*
Min 6 papers presented at conferences	23 papers: 3 invited papers, 8 oral presentations and 12 posters
Awards	9 gold medals, 2 silver medals, 2 diploma of excellence, 2 special awards
Academic impact
The project team involved young researchers who had the opportunity to enrich their scientific knowledge in the cutting-edge field addressed by the current project: 8 people under the age of 45 (80% of the total). During he project, 3 postdoctoral researchers, 3 doctoral students, 1 master's student, and 1 undergraduate student were involved in the research team, providing them with the opportunity to work with the laboratory equipment to analyze the new materials developed in the project, thus acquiring valuable knowledge. Some of them completed their master's/undergraduate studies with papers on the project's theme as follows: 3 master's students defended their dissertations, one of whom was employed at INOE after completing his studies (G.A.Juravlea) and enrolling in doctoral studies. In 2023, various professional training activities were conducted within the institute, one of which involved members of the research team participating in the "Project Risk Management" course: Catalin Vitelaru; Iulian Pana; Alina Vladescu (Dragomir); Mihaela Dinu; Anca Parau; Lidia R. Constantin. Following this training, the participants gained skills to apply the most modern techniques for identifying project risks, assessing and quantifying risk, and designing the most effective risk response strategies to successfully complete the project. Methods and techniques for efficient risk analysis were presented and exemplified to take necessary measures to eliminate or reduce risks that could affect the project.