'Biophysics and Biomaterials' is a course offered in the B. Tech. programs at School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
To equip the students with the knowledge on different kinds of biomaterials and other medical need, basic research, and to provide an over view of theory and practice of bio materials
Unit 1
Quantum mechanics – Schrodinger’s time dependent and independent equations – Pauli’s exclusion principle – ionization energy – electron affinity – chemical binding – electro negativity and strong bonds - secondary bonds – inter atomic potential for strong bonds and weak bonds – bond energies – spring constants – free energy – internal energy – reaction kinetics.
Definition and classification of bio-materials, mechanical properties, visco-elasticity, wound-healing process, Application of biomaterial for the human body, body response to implants, blood compatibility. Implementation problems - inflammation, rejection, corrosion, structural failure. Surface modifications for improved compatibility.
Unit 2
Bioceramics, Biopolymers, Metals, ceramics and composites in medicine: Properties, applications, suitability & modifications required for certain applications.
X-ray diffraction and molecular structure – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance – scanning tunneling microscope – Atomic force microscopy – optical tweezers – patch clamping – molecular dynamics – potential energy contour tracing – SEM – TEM – spectroscopy methods differential thermal analysis, differential thermo gravimetric analysis – NDT methods.
Unit 3
Materials for bone and joint replacement – dental metals and alloys – ceramic – bioinert – bioactive ceramics – polymers - dental restorative materials – dental amalgams – cardiovascular materials – cardiac prosthesis; vascular graft materials – cardiac pacemakers – cardiac assist devices – materials for ophthalmology contact lens – intraoccular materials – materials for drug delivery