Iranian researchers gained new achievements in increasing the strength of ceramic materials to be used in tissue engineering.
This study suggests the application of nanoparticles that increase the biodegradability of implants and the required strength.
Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) is one of the novel bio-ceramics that is used in tissue engineering, specially in bone tissue. Forsterite nanoparticles are bioactive and help the natural tissue of the bone to recover the damaged bone through Osteo-conduction method. This research studies the mechanisms to increase mechanical strength and modify biological properties of the substance.
To this end, forsterite nanoparticles with dimensions less than 50 nm have been used in the production of desired scaffold. The proposed method for the production of bone scaffold is two-step sintering or cooking with controlled and adjustable thermal shelf time. This method increases bioactivity and biodegradability of the product  and the mechanical strength of the structure.
Due to the low mechanical strength of materials, including hydroxyapatite, the application of these materials has been limited in tissue engineering. That is why the production of scaffolds made of forsterite nanostructures with optimum mechanical strength and properties (such as bioactivity and biological sorption) is considered an evolution in the production of scaffolds in hard tissue engineering.
Results of the research have been published in Ceramics International, vol. 41, issue 1, Part B, 2015, pp. 1361-1365.