Developing 3D-printed Ti-based-implants for enhanced bone remodelling: FEA and in vitro

One fully funded Frederick E Hopper full-time PhD scholarship is available in the School of Dentistry for a start in October 2025. The scholarship will cover UK tuition fees and attract a stipend matching the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25), subject to satisfactory progress.<br /> The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Dentistry. This project would suit a student with a background in physical science with interest in biological systems, or in biological science with an interest in physical techniques.

<p>Titanium implants are well-known for their biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength. 3D printing of Ti-alloys based implants enhances these properties, supporting cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, which are vital for bone healing and remodelling. Furthermore, it enables the creation of patient-specific dental implants, leading to better fit, functionality, and improved surgical outcomes, while reducing the risk of rejection or complications [1]. Porous implants can promote bone ingrowth and vascularization, essential for long-term stability. Implant failures often result from undesirable stresses, including bone resorption and loosening [2]. By matching the mechanical properties of the implant with the surrounding bone (low elastic modulus and high wear resistance), 3D-printed Ti implants minimize stress shielding, where a stiff implant bears too much load, causing bone loss [3]. This PhD project aims to develop a 3D-printed Ti-based implant to enhance bone remodelling and reduce implant failures. Titanium alloys powders will be formulated and integrated with advanced techniques to produce 3D-printed implants. Mechanical testing will simulate physiological loading and wear, assessing the implants' stability and durability across different density bone analogues. Finite element analysis will evaluate displacements, stress and strain distributions during bone remodelling, focusing on the implant-bone interface. Complementary cell biology studies will investigate the osteogenic potential of the low modulus alloys and titanium-based implants, focusing on osteoblast activity, to represent the bone cells adherence. </p> <h5>Aims and Objectives</h5> <p>To develop a 3D-Printed Ti-based implant for enhance bone remodeling and to decrease implant failures. The key innovation lies in the development of the 3D-printed low modulus titanium-based implants, optimized for different bone densities, and their application in 3D-printed bone-mimicking analogues with adjustable densities. </p> <ul> <li>Develop a power-based beta-titanium alloy formulation for 3D Printing of implants.</li> <li>3D-print an implant prototype and a bone-like analogue with different densities. </li> <li>Predict failures using the finite element method. </li> <li>Validate validate the implant-bone model using mechanical tests and cell biology. </li> </ul> <h5>References</h5> <ol> <li class="paragraph">Ahmed Yaseen Alqutaibi, Mohammed Ahmed Alghauli, Marwan Hamed Awad Aljohani, Muhammad Sohail Zafar. Advanced additive manufacturing in implant dentistry: 3D printing technologies, printable materials, current applications and future requirements, Bioprinting, Volume 42, 2024, e00356, ISSN 2405-8866. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bprint.2024.e00356">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bprint.2024.e00356</a>. </li> <li class="paragraph">Taufik Abdullah Mappa, Shu-Fen Chu, Kuo-Sheng Hung, Takashi Saito, Muhammad Ruslin, Wen-Chien Lan, Hsin-Hui Kuo, Yung-Chieh Cho, Chia-Chien Hsieh, Jonathan Huang, Yung-Kang Shen, Keng-Liang Ou. An innovative three-dimensional printed titanium implant with a biomimetic structure design for promoting osseointegration potential, Materials & Design, Volume 238, 2024, 112692, ISSN 0264-1275. <br /> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112692">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112692</a>. </li> <li class="paragraph">Amy X.Y. Guo, Liangjie Cheng, Shuai Zhan, Shouyang Zhang, Wei Xiong, Zihan Wang, Gang Wang, Shan Cecilia Cao, Biomedical applications of the powder-based 3D printed titanium alloys: A review, Journal of Materials Science & Technology, Volume 125, 2022, Pages 252-264, ISSN 1005-0302. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2021.11.084">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2021.11.084</a>    </li> </ol> <h5>Other Conditions</h5> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2025.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees/doc/how-to-apply">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application. </p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Frederick E Hopper Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Dentistry should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Dentistry is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Dentistry for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant matching the UKRI stipend rate (£19,237 for 2024/25) and UK tuition fees for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. This is one of seven available projects being advertised for the one successful candidate for this scholarship. </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Faculty PGR Admissions Team<br /> <a href="http://fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>