Associate 2017-18
Iwona Jasiuk
Mechanical Science and Engineering
Multiscale Study of Bone Fracture, Adaptation, Regeneration and Bone-Inspired Materials
Bone is a living multi-functional material, optimized by nature and providing a playground for scientists to explore while addressing important scientific, clinical and technological problems. Professor Jasiuk’s proposed research addresses four inter-related topics on bone which include:
- Computational predictive multiscale model of bone fracture and strength
The experimentally-based computational analysis will span from nanoscale to macroscale, leading to the capture of bone weaknesses in disease and providing more accurate predictions of bone quality.
- Bone adaptation: Multiscale biologically-based modeling of bone growth
The development of a numerical framework that can predict the bone growth for a wide variety of loading conditions will be useful in solving an inverse problem of identifying optimal loading conditions that can result in a desired growth. In addition, the local fields evaluated for a given loading condition will provide new insights on how cells react to mechanical stimuli.
- Bone regeneration: Design of new scaffolds and modeling of bone ingrowth
Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) structures are infinitely extending, smooth, and continuous surfaces found in nature and in human bodies. TPMS minimize stress concentrations and provide an optimal template for bone cells to grow new bone tissue.
- Bio-inspired Materials: Design of new bone inspired biomaterials and composites
Recent studies on demineralized, deproteinized and untreated bone showed that both the minerals and the proteins formed contiguous, stand-alone structures, capable of withstanding structural loads. The structural advantages of such bi-continuous phases will be incorporated in new designs.