- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


ME40265: Biomedical engineering materials

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: EX100
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Supplementary assessment information not currently available (this will be added shortly)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take ME20023 or take ME20024 or take ME20071
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To explore the structure and mechanical properties of hard and soft tissues of the human body and how structural engineering materials can be used to replace, reconstruct or repair them. To examine structure:function relationships at the interface between medicine and engineering.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Relate the structure and properties of bone and soft tissues to their role in the human body.
* Demonstrate knowledge of a range of materials that can be used to replace both soft and hard tissues of the body and be aware of the extent and the limitations of replacement components in terms of design and materials.

Skills:
Facilitated intellectual and professional key skills.

Content:
Biological materials: The structure and properties of the main hard and soft tissues in the body - bone, teeth, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscle. Chemical and physical compositions of their main constituents - calcium phosphate, dentine, enamel, collagen and elastin.
Mechanical properties: Stress, strain, Young's modulus, toughness, creep and fatigue in both biological and made materials. Mechanical response of hard and soft tissues in terms of their structures. Crystalline and amorphous structures. Sports injuries, fracture healing and repair.
Biomedical Materials and Devices: Use of biomaterials for replacement and repair of hard and soft tissues. Functional considerations - forces on joints, cyclic loading, wear and tear, body environment. Materials used for implant purposes - metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites, coatings. Applications in the fields of orthopaedics, bone substitutes, cardiovascular, dental, drug delivery and wound healing.
Evaluation of biomaterials : Biocompatibility testing, corrosion, wear, deterioration, regulatory requirements.
Topics and case studies for self study that could be examined.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

ME40265 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM41 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM41 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM42 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM42 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM43 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM43 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Thick Sandwich) - Year 5

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.