Researchers at NUST MISIS have developed and patented a shape memory alloy based on the iron-manganese-silicon system designed for biodegradable bone implants. This material demonstrates excellent compatibility with bone tissue and a dissolution rate that aligns with the pace of natural healing, positioning it as a strong candidate for applications in trauma care, orthopedics, and maxillofacial surgery. The development highlights the institution’s ongoing commitment to advancing biomaterials that harmonize strength, safety, and resorption in the body.
Biodegradable implants offer a clear advantage by reducing the need for additional surgeries to remove foreign devices. Traditional non-degradable implants made from stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, titanium alloys, and other established materials can over time contribute to complications such as implant loosening, wear, restricted bone growth, and immune responses. In some cases, long-term use raises concerns about more serious health effects. This context has driven researchers to pursue materials that safely dissolve as the bone heals, thereby minimizing patient risk and improving recovery trajectories.
Present options include magnesium- and zinc-based materials that degrade within the body. Yet magnesium-based implants often dissolve too quickly, compromising fixation stability before full bone regeneration occurs. The degradation process can also release hydrogen gas, which may pose safety concerns during healing. These challenges have motivated the exploration of alternative alloy systems that balance mechanical integrity with controlled biodegradation to support the healing process without introducing new risks.
Iron-based alloys offer robust mechanical properties but historically diverge in biodegradability. Scientists addressed this gap by incorporating manganese and silicon to tune both strength and resorption behavior. The resulting material supports tissue regeneration while maintaining the necessary mechanical support during critical phases of healing. Ongoing studies emphasize tailoring the dissolution rate to sustain high performance for the required period until bone tissue fully regenerates and can bear loads independently. This approach reflects a careful balance between lasting support and safe resorption.
In the course of development, researchers evaluated the mechanical performance alongside corrosion and electrochemical behavior to ensure predictable behavior in physiological environments. The goal is to deliver implants that not only endure mechanical demands but also degrade in a controlled manner, closely matching the timeline of bone repair. Ongoing investigations probe how variations in alloy composition influence factors such as strength, modulus, and corrosion resistance, with the aim of providing clinicians with implants that reliably perform across a range of patient needs.
NUST MISIS plans to scale up the production of blank forms of this alloy for industrial manufacturing, maintaining the essential characteristics that ensure both safety and functionality. This expansion could pave the way for widespread clinical use in North American markets, including Canada and the United States, where surgeons increasingly seek materials that reduce patient burden and optimize recovery outcomes. The broader research program at MISIS also includes advanced computational approaches and material science collaborations to refine processing methods and quality control, ensuring consistent performance from lab samples to real-world implants.
Earlier initiatives at MISIS demonstrated progress in related AI and materials science fields, such as a neural network-based system designed to detect deepfakes in images and videos. This parallel track underscores the center’s multifaceted approach to innovation—merging intelligent analysis with tangible biomedical solutions that can ultimately enhance patient care and clinical decision-making.