1. ALUMINA FIBERS IN ORTHOPEDICS IMPLANT: Osteoblast Adhesion Application Dr.Hasmaliza Mohamad Ruzainah Abdullah School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

2. Alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) Alumina is an important engineering material for high temperature industries. Properties :  High strength and modulus.  Resistance to attack by molten metals and non-oxide materials.  Chemical inertness in both oxidizing and reducing atmosphere.  Low thermal conductivity and good electrical insulation

3. Biomedical application of Al 2 O 3 Dental Implant Bone implant – Joint replacement: Knee prostheses, ankle – joint, shoulders and fingers. – Implant adhesion: Osteoblast adhesion

4. Objectives To increase the activities of bone cells on the surface of material used in the design of orthopedic implants. Enhanced functions of osteoblasts

5. Frequently, problems with orthopaedic implants occur owing to either loosening of the implant, osseo-degradation of bone surrounding the implant or hypersensitivity of the patient to the particular metal Hydroxyapatite-coated implants have been successful for the most part. It has been found that bone apposition on the surface of porous hydroxyapatite-coated implants is better than that on metallic porous coatings Previous study:

6. However, numerous problems are still encountered with these approaches. For example, the average lifetime of hydroxyapatite-coated implants needs improvement, owing to high solubility rates that can lead to degradation of the coating and loosening at the bone-hydroxyapatite interface Previous study: (cont..)

7. Alumina fibers will use to increase the coating toughness Electrospinning provides opportunities to manipulate and control surface area, fiber diameter, porosity and pore size of nanofiber matrices Study the effect of various properties of alumina fibers on adhesion Present study:

8. Synthesis of the alumina fiber sol – gel  Electrospinning  press  sinter The combination of sol-gel processing with electrospinning techniques will provides a versatile technique for producing ceramics nanofibers

9. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: Fibre

10. SEM image of nanofibers

11. The aim of nanoscale alumina in osteoblast adhesion Nanofiber alumina (less than 100 nm in diameter) more closely simulates the physical geometry of hydroxyapatite crystals and collagen fibers in bone that osteoblasts are accustomed to interact to.

12. Advantages of alumina fibers in osteoblast adhesion: Increase the toughness of HAp coating Give good adhesion to implant Increase the degradation rate of HAp coating