Research
(一) Bio-inspired design of toughening agent
The conventional toughening agents are very hard and strong; however, the interface between reinforcement and matrix should be weak. The ceramic reinforcement is not supposed to react with the brittle ceramic matrix. Such constrain limits the use of conventional ceramic reinforcement to enhance the toughness of many ceramics. In our Lab., the biomimetic concept is used for the design of ceramic reinforcement. The particles with embedded weak interfaces are designed. The novel reinforcement can react with the ceramic matrix to form strong bonding. Nevertheless, the major crack can still interact with the weak interface within the reinforcement. Several examples to elaborate the concept are given.
(二) Development of thermal dissipation substrates
The interface at the ceramic/metal interface dominate the mechanical performance of ceramic/metal composite systems; the relationships of interface and mechanical properties has received wide attention. However, the relationships between the interface and thermal conduction have never received any attention they deserved. In the present work, the composition at the interface will be modified to improve its interface energy release rate; consequently, the reliability of the substrate. By measuring the thermal conductivity properly, the relationship between the interface and thermal conductivity will then be established.
(三) Development of Bone graft with tailored resorbable time
The conventional toughening agents are very hard and strong; however, the interface between reinforcement and matrix should be weak. The ceramic reinforcement is not supposed to react with the brittle ceramic matrix. Such constrain limits the use of conventional ceramic reinforcement to enhance the toughness of many ceramics. In our Lab., the biomimetic concept is used for the design of ceramic reinforcement. The particles with embedded weak interfaces are designed. The novel reinforcement can react with the ceramic matrix to form strong bonding. Nevertheless, the major crack can still interact with the weak interface within the reinforcement. Several examples to elaborate the concept are given.
(四) Specialized areas
1.Bioceramics
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Novel ceramic for biomedical implants
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Degradable bioceramics
2.Ceramic-matrix composites
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Processing-microstructure-performance of ceramic matrix composites
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Heat-dissipation substrate
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after
(五) Innovative Ceramic Cervical Fusion Cage
With the increase of mobile phone users, the patients with neck problems increase a lot in recent years. These problems are mostly rooted from the degradation of disc between cervical vertebrae. When the degradation may even affect the nearby nerve, the patients are suffered severe pain. The surgery using of cervical fusion cage can effectively release the pain of the patient. At the moment, there are 20,000 cervical fusion cage used every year in Taiwan.
The use of cervical fusion cage can date back 20 years ago. Two materials are used for the cage. One material is polyetheretherketone (PEEK), another one is titanium alloy. The PEEK is hydrophobic, its biocompatibility is very poor. Such poor biocompatibility leads to poor osteointegration. The biocompatibility of titanium ally is better, the percentage of subsidence post-operation is far too high.
