The Use of Ceramics in Healthcare

Before becoming a full-stack software engineer, Niraj Vora studied chemical engineering at UC Davis. While attending UC Davis, Niraj Vora served as a research assistant, studying the conductive properties of ceramic pellets.

Scientists and academic institutions study ceramics and ceramic engineering, developing usage ideas for this versatile material all the time. Different forms of ceramic components are used to help computer and electronic devices operate, to provide global telecommunications, to protect military personnel, and to improve healthcare as well.

At Murdoch University in Australia, scientists are researching the use of a certain type of ceramic, hydroxyapatite, that can be formed into a pellet to replace damaged bone. The hydroxyapatite powder is heated to extremely high temperatures before being formed into pellets. These pellets possess a balance of porosity and strength similar to real bone.

For experimental purposes, the ceramic pellets are implanted into sheep muscle, and scientists are finding that the porosity of the ceramic allows cell infiltration and stimulates bone growth, while the strength of the ceramic can hold up to the sheep’s biological matter. Additionally, the pellets are economical to produce, making them an appealing alternative to other available synthetic bone options.