虽然它可能不像来自著名歌曲的吸引力Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,研究RMIT大学argues that diamonds are (also) a 3D printer’s best friend.
更具体地说，由碳制成的钻石改善了3D印刷钛植入物的生物相容性。凯特·福克斯（Kate Fox）博士及其团队在RMIT工程学院的团队避开了免疫系统非常强大的防御机制，这是主要障碍为身体开发新的治疗方法。
福克斯解释说：“目前，医疗植入物的黄金标准是钛，但钛植入物常常不会像我们需要的方式与我们的身体互动。”
“为了解决这个问题，我们已经在3D支架上使用了钻石来创建一个表面涂层，该涂层更好地粘附在哺乳动物中常见的细胞。”
但是等等，钻石不是很昂贵吗？
RMIT研究中的实验植入物采用空心立方体的形式。它是使用选择性激光熔化（SLM）在钛中打印的3D。印刷后，然后通过化学蒸气沉积法将植入物涂在钻石中，该方法需要超过1000°C的温度。
对于钻石涂料，研究人员使用爆炸纳米木德（DND）。合成的DND源自TNT和RDX的爆炸性混合物。根据Fox DND的说法，“比3D打印植入物的钛粉便宜”。
The body “thrives off diamond”
Seeded with mammalian cells and maintained in conditions to mimic bioactivity of fluid in the body, the diamond coated cube was compared to an un-coated titanium implant.
“这涂层不仅促进更好的细胞tachment to the underlying diamond-titanium layer, but encouraged the proliferation of mammalian cells,” says Fox.
“The diamond enhances the integration between the living bone and the artificial implant, and reduces bacterial attachment over an extended period of time.”
The specimens were studied over a period of 2 weeks, within which the coating showed increased deposit levels of apatite bone mineral.
RMIT福克斯团队的一部分的博士研究员Aaqil Rifai说，“碳”是Diamond的原始资料，“具有令人难以置信的生物相容性水平”，
“Our body readily accepts and thrives off diamond as a platform for complex material interfacing.”
Coming soon?
RMIT是AUD $ 1,210万美元（929万美元）的政府资金的收件人之一，以适用3D打印，机器人和高级制造业‘Just in time implants’。While diamond encrusted plates and pins may not yet be on the cards, Fox’s lab hopes to one day introduce the technology to commercially available implants.
福克斯说：“我们的钻石涂料不仅可以使3D打印的植入物更好地生物相容性，而且还可以改善其磨损和抵抗力。这是一种非凡的生物材料。”
Rifai补充说：“ 3D打印的可伸缩性正在迅速增长，因此我们可以期望在不久的将来的某个时候看到钻石涂料在骨科中变得普遍。”
The supporting paper reporting this discovery, “Polycrystalline Diamond Coating of Additively Manufactured Titanium for Biomedical Applications“, is published inACS应用材料和界面journal.
The study is attributed to Aaqil Rifai, Nhiem Tran, Desmond W. Lau, Aaron Elbourne, Hualin Zhan, Alastair D. Stacey, Edwin L. H. Mayes, Avik Sarker, Elena P. Ivanova, Russell J. Crawford, Phong A. Tran, Brant C. Gibson, Andrew D. Greentree, Elena Pirogova, and Kate Fox.
Never miss out on breakthrough research – subscribe tothe most widely read newsletter in the industry, follow us on推特, and like us onFacebook。
查找并发布3D打印作业here.
Vote for research team of the year and more in the2018 3D Printing Industry Awards。To be in with a chance of attending this year’s event, winning a 3D printer, and having your design 3D printed byProtolabs, enter the3D Printing Industry Awards trophy design competition.
特色图片显示了钻石宝石。通过Pixabay的照片
